Lewis O'Neill

“No single raindrop thinks it caused the flood”. A thought-provoking statement, and one cannot be more applicable to the issues of sustainability practises, climate change and global warming we face as a nation, and as a planet, today. Everyone must make an effort for an effort to be noted. But this does not only rest on the shoulders of us as individuals, but also on the communities we belong to, and the institutions we attend. Thus, Universities have a responsibility to contribute positively to society and the world at large. By adopting more sustainable practises, they set an example for students, communities, and other institutions alike.

My passion for sustainability, much like others, can largely be attributed to the BBC Nature documentaries that seem hell-bent on highlighting how we are destroying the beauty of our natural world. Whilst, I think it’s fair to say, our university isn’t the root cause for deforestation and the majority of greenhouse gasses in the UK, that doesn’t go to say that we cant strive to do better and be better.

The University of Southampton is already making remarkable efforts to become Net Zero by 2030, and whilst admirable in how they set about to do this, I think there is still more to be done. The clear goals outlined by the Sustainability Team highlight how we might achieve this incrementally over the years to come, which is a start. But a lot of this is behind the scenes and unbeknownst to the majority of us.

Hence, the first port of call for me would be to make all developments in sustainability at our university something our students will know about. We could easily search this up, as I have done, but the practises are watered down by technical terms and hyperlinks that make it hard to digest. I believe that when we know more clearly what we are doing, we’ll be able to think of more ways in which we can help.

We must also develop our waste reduction and recycling capabilities. With more rigorous recycling programs, composting initiatives, and waste reduction strategies, we will be able to minimise the environmental impact of waste. I have personally noticed overflowing bins on campus, and even bins intended to separate types of waste unified by one bin bag underneath. This needs to change.

Perhaps most importantly, would be the implementation, or at the very least investment, in more energy efficient technologies, such as LED lighting in campus buildings and smart HVAC systems. Research into where these might be implemented soonest would be a step in the right direction.

I have many ideas on how these changes might come about, and how I may be able to assist the Sustainability Team in their current practises. With your nomination, I will strive to make a more sustainable institution for the benefit of everyone.