Alumni Sustainability Newsletter
NOVEMBER 2023
Welcome to the third edition of the alumni sustainability newsletter. We'll be talking to alumni working in sustainability, diving into blue carbon research, and exploring sustainable catering on campus. Alongside this, there will be opportunities to get involved with outdoor volunteering too!
Alumni spotlight: Dr Smriti Safaya
Can you tell us what you do?
As a Croucher Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow based with Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY) in the Department of Environment and Geography, and as a research associate with the Stockholm Environment Institute, I get to connect with schools across the U.K. and Hong Kong to carry out research looking at the impact of environmental citizen science on youth pro-environmental values, attitudes, knowledge and behaviours. I also stick my finger into many pies and have joined ESAY's York Living Labs Biodiversity Committee to support using the incredible University of York campus as a site of interdisciplinary teaching and learning, and am collaborating with various local organisations to have York officially be a participating city in the global City Nature Challenge 2024.
What made you interested in studying or working in the area of environmental sustainability?
My scribbly route from being a geologist to a geography teacher to a nascent academic in experiential environmental education has always been driven by my love of nature thanks to my experiences in it. I am deeply moved when hiking amidst jagged Himalayan peaks, observing charismatic black bird behaviour and eating my first harvest of home-grown cherry tomatoes!
"I am deeply moved when hiking amidst jagged Himalayan peaks, observing charismatic black bird behaviour and eating my first harvest of home-grown cherry tomatoes!"
Can you tell us your experience of working as a teacher in Hong Kong?
Having grown up in Hong Kong, I could quickly build a rapport with my students, as I used my own school experiences to enhance my teaching and learning approach. The feedback from my students really drove it home for me; that the most effective learning happens where the action is, and I tried to create as many field trips or experiential opportunities as possible. We've kayaked to interview fisherfolk on floating fish farms, walked around Hong Kong's poorest neighborhoods evaluating socio-economic and environmental stress to produce GIS maps and reports, and explored global coral reefs from immersive 360° VR scuba-diving videos before snorkeling in northern Hong Kong's own shallow coral gardens to measure coral health (to name a few experiences outside the classroom).
"The most effective learning happens where the action is"
Are there any challenges you face at work?
The only main challenge for my research thus far has been recruiting schools, likely because of how overstretched teachers already are, the demands of a packed curriculum, and time and logistical constraints during the academic year. This makes the schools that are already collaborating with me that much more precious to work with!
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
As an educator, I find that listening to and working with people from various backgrounds towards a common goal for the benefit of nature brings out the best in us, and that is extremely fulfilling!
ALUMNI AWARDS
Launching in our 60th year, the York For Life Alumni Awards offer a unique chance for you to share your story, champion your strengths, and celebrate the successes that have shaped your journey since graduating. There are eight categories of awards and one of them is the Environmental Sustainability Champion Award. Winners will not only receive well-deserved recognition but will also be celebrated across the University's digital platforms, including the website and social media channels. Nominate yourself or someone you know to become one of the first ever winners of an alumni award today!
Sustainable catering
The University’s catering team is continually striving to improve its offering, whilst continuing to hold sustainability at the forefront of its thinking.
Reducing our carbon footprint requires a multi-faceted approach. We believe in responsibly sourcing our ingredients and managing waste. Our fresh meat comes Red Tractor labeled mostly from Yorkshire farms. We also procure our milk, eggs, bread, and root vegetables from local producers. Currently, 65% of our menus across campus are meat-free, and we are continuously increasing this number.
"We also procure our milk, eggs, bread, and root vegetables from local producers"
Our Yorcup scheme has been a huge success, reducing our single-use cup consumption by 1.5 million cups to date. Over 10,000 supporters have joined the initiative. The cups themselves are manufactured in Doncaster using British raw materials.
In 2021, we introduced the Shop Save Sustain scheme which has helped us save 15,000 meals from going to waste. We are currently working on adding the CO2e for each dish.
Our sustainable initiatives have earned us the Food for Life Bronze award across our UoY-managed outlets.
For more information concerning our sustainability policy please go to Eat, drink and shop at York website.
Sustainability Annual Report 2022-23
The second edition of the University's Sustainability Plan Annual Report is out now. You can see our progress and achievements since the plan was formally set in 2021. Read the Sustainability Annual Report 2022-23.
ESAY Celebrates two year anniversary
Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY) is a University of York-based team that helps to connect the activities we are doing on environmental sustainability within teaching, research and campus operations to deliver new joined-up benefits and create impact within and beyond the University.
Since being launched in October 2021, ESAY has emerged with a powerful mission: to cohere environmental sustainability teaching, research, and operational practices across the University of York and with external partners. Today, we are proud of the progress ESAY has already made, advancing the strategic goals outlined in the University of York Sustainability Plan through innovative and diverse approaches.
ESAY's latest report highlights some of their successes over the last 2 years, including showcasing how it has supported our Sustainability Plan. Read the report here.
CONNECTING BLUE CARBON RESEARCH
York researchers from different disciplines have been working collaboratively on research into the role of Blue Carbon in coastal environments. Blue carbon is where carbon is taken from the atmosphere and stored in ecosystems like saltmarshes, seagrass, or mangroves. Not only do blue carbon ecosystems store carbon for us, but they provide a range of other benefits such as coastal storm protection or providing habitats to protect biodiversity.
“Connecting blue carbon research” was led by Paul Hudson, an environmental economist, and Ed Garrett, a physical geographer, as part of a YESI (York Environmental Sustainability Institute) Discipline Hopping project and involved two steps. Firstly the project team brought together information from multiple studies investigating the topic and summarised current research on the management and uses of saltmarshes and mangroves. A publication is in preparation from this work. Subsequently, the team convened a workshop featuring invited experts from academia, Natural England, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), and Finance Earth. The workshop, appropriately held at Lindisfarne, a location featuring key blue carbon habitats of saltmarsh and seagrass meadows, provided an opportunity to network and discuss the latest research and policy from a range of perspectives.
Thanks to the YESI Fellows funding opportunity, many of those involved in the workshop are now collaborating on a multi-million pound transdisciplinary grant proposal focusing on how blue carbon can be harnessed to generate sustainable economic and ecosystem services for coastal communities.
Sustainability on LinkedIn Learning
York for Life has partnered with education industry leader LinkedIn Learning to provide University of York alumni with free access to their extensive catalogue of expert-led content, real-world insights and hands-on courses. A wide variety of sustainability-related modules are available for you to upskill or satisfy your curiosity to drive positive change for a more sustainable future.
CHRIS LARGE: ALUMNI VOICES
Chris Large, York alum and Director of the Earthshot Prize & Portfolio, spoke to Alumni Voices this month. The Earthshot Prize is a global award for contributions towards environmentalism. You can read his interview here.
Closure of university of york giki and new OUTDOOR VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
As of 8th December the University of York account on Giki Zero will be closing, and a big shout out to you all for leading the way during the last 12 months. Thank you for taking an active part in our community challenge of carbon reduction! You won't have access to the leaderboards, challenges and collective achievements after 8th December, however, you will still have access to your personal account where you can see your footprint and find more steps to help you Think Carbon. We’d like you to be able to keep building on the great work you’ve started.
For 2024, the York for Life Team are currently planning volunteering activities on campus and in and around York for our alumni and friends. Please complete a short online form to register your interest and tell us any other activities you’d like to organise or participate in through the Alumni Sustainability Network.
You can also look at our new Alumni Sustainability webpage for access to:
- Upcoming sustainability events and activities
- Sustainability on LinkedIn Learning
- Sustainability Newsletters
Call for contributions: Play for the planet
Do you have experience in game research or design? Are you interested in engaging people with environmental issues through games? Play for the Planet (9.30am-4.30pm, 22 April 2024 at University of York) brings together educators, researchers and game developers to engage playfully with games. Call for contributions now open (deadline 15 December).
Key sustainability Dates:
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30th November 2023, 4pm GMT |
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World Soil Day |
5th December 2023 |
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International Mountain Day |
11th December 2023 |
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Veganuary |
1st - 31st January 2024 |
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17 January 2024 at 14.00 CET |
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World Wetlands Day |
2nd February 2024 |
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6 weeks from Tuesday 6th February 2024, 7-9pm |
Thank you!
We hope you've enjoyed reading the third edition of our sustainability newsletter. If you'd like to get involved in shaping the Sustainability Network, please get in touch at alumni@york.ac.uk.
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