As part of the Made at Uni – Climate Action campaign, universities throughout the country have joined forces to highlight their commitment to climate action and demonstrate the breadth of ways they are actively tackling the climate emergency through research, business and community interaction, and efforts to equip every graduate with climate literacy, no matter what subject they study.
Sustainability remains one of the central strands shaping the University of Bristol’s vision of the future.
Bristol was the first university in the UK to declare a climate emergency in 2019 reaffirming its strong and positive commitment to take action on climate change and, a year later, in 2020 it completely divested from all investments in fossil fuel companies.
The University’s Cabot Institute for the Environment is at the forefront of world-leading research into environmental challenges and expert academics provide advice and guidance to decision-makers on an international, national and local level.
For many people working to tackle climate change, connecting with the natural world is their inspiration. Academics from the Cabot Institute are currently working with young people across the country to explore their relationships with the environment and share their hopes for the future through the medium of animation.
The project, called Waves of Change, works in two ways: the university is supporting young people to gain the confidence to voice their views on climate change and take positive action; meanwhile, young people are improving the university’s understanding of climate change by sharing their unique perspectives.
Anthropologist of childhood and youth, Dr Camilla Morelli, is one of the project’s academic leads alongside Professor Daniela Schmidt, who specialises in marine ecosystems.
Dr Morelli said: “Our goal is to engage young people in a conversation on climate change and coastal futures from their own perspectives through co-production of animated films as a way to tell their own stories and share them with the world.
“In times of growing anxieties around the climate emergency, we are encouraging young people to think that a positive future is possible, their voices matter, and their actions can make a crucial difference for us and our planet.”
Bristol climate experts have also contributed research and insight into several Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports including the most recent published earlier this month.
Likewise a team of academics took part in the pivotal United Nations Climate Change Conference COP 26 in Glasgow last autumn.
Research undertaken by UUK suggests that 45 percent of parents in the South West believe UK universities are equipping students with enough knowledge about climate change and 54 percent recognise that universities are researching solutions to climate change.
Professor Steve West CBE, President, Universities UK, said: “We need urgent and ambitious climate solutions and must ensure future generations are given the chance to build the careers they need to tackle this emergency head on. Universities are crucial to this. A university education can make all the difference in equipping students with the knowledge and skills to help them to make a positive impact on the planet, whatever path they choose.
“Evidence shows that universities are centre-stage in the UK’s climate action efforts, from researching bold and innovative solutions, to mobilising businesses and local communities in ways that benefit us all. As a sector we can do even more to ensure the public hear this vital message, and that is what this campaign is all about.”