Cardiff University is staging its first ever Sustainability Week from the 16-20th November.
The week kicks off with a visit from the eminent writer, broadcaster and environmentalist Jonathan Porritt, who will be delivering this year’s Hadyn Ellis Distinguished Lecture.
A series of events and on and off-line initiatives will follow, designed to encourage and inspire the whole community to live and work in a more sustainable way, with the ultimate aim of working together to create a more sustainable University.
Among the week’s activities, will be opportunities to Post a Pledge, take an online interactive quiz, put unsustainable items and ideas in the Detox Box, meet some of the University’s Eco-Champions, and find out how two rather special men are trying to fix the world.
The Students’ Union has given it’s full backing to the Sustainability Week which is working in partnership with the University to stage some of the events and initiatives.
More information about Sustainability Week can be found at www.cardiff.ac.uk/sustainabilityweek
Tuesday
A Student Enterprise Lecture
Meet two social entrepreneurs who have been instrumental in combining a business approach with their concerns for human, social and environmental factors in providing potential solutions to the energy crisis.
Council Chamber, Main Building,
7pm – 8.30pm
Eat Fairtrade Day
Tuck into all the Fairtrade products which are available in both University buildings and the Students’ Union cafes and shops. Cardiff University and the Union gained Fairtrade status in 2007.
Taff Trail Cycle Bus Pilot
Be the first to take part in Cardiff University’s Bicycle User Group bike bus along the Taff Trail. It’s zero emission commuting, so you save 0.3 tonnes of greenhouse emissions per annum, for a 2½ mile commute and that’s just one way!
Email CUBUG@cardiff.ac.uk or visit the www.cardiff.ac.uk/osheu/environment/greentransport/cycling/bikebus for a timetable.
Wednesday
Your Uni Fruit and Veg Co-op
Fifty pence from every purchase made at the university Fruit and Veg Co-Op goes to generate a sustainable income source for the Riverside Community Food Co-op, where volunteers aim to bring the same service to the deprived community of Riverside.
Order your bags of fruit and veg online at:http://sife-cardiff.co.uk/products.aspx
VJ Gallery, Main Building, 10-4pm
The Sustainability Week Debate: Eating our way to sustainability
Join local politicians, academics, students and business leaders in what promises to be a lively debate about how to eat our way to sustainability. The event will be chaired by Professor Kevin Morgan and has been organised with Cardiff University’s Debating Society.
School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, 6:30pm start. Drinks reception after the debate.To book your place at this free event, email publicity@cardiff.ac.uk with the name of the event in the subject box.
Thursday
‘What has culture got to do with sustainability?’: A Poetry Reading by Rob Minhinnick and other speakers
Do culture and the arts have a role to play in sustainable development? Should issues around sustainability be left to the scientists, engineers, environmentalists and policy makers?
Come and join in a lively discussion about the role culture has to play in the sustainability agenda both here in Wales and globally.
Rob Minhinnick, environmental campaigner and celebrated essayist and poet for a reading of a selection of his poems. Signed copies of Rob’s latest books, ‘King Driftwood’ and ‘Sea Holly’ will be available to buy during the evening.
The event is sponsored by Academi.
Council Chamber, Main Building
6pm (a drinks reception will follow the poetry reading)
To book your place at this free event, email publicity@cardiff.ac.uk with the name of the event in the subject box.
Friday
Film Screening: The Yes Men Fix The World
Described by author Naomi Klein as “hilarious, therapeutic, inspiring, ‘The Yes Men Fix The World’ is a screwball true story about two gonzo political activists who, posing as top executives of giant corporations, lie their way into big business conferences and pull off the world’s most outrageous pranks. Brüno-meets-Michael Moore in this gut-busting wake-up call that proves a little imagination can go a long way towards vanquishing the cult of greed.
Who knew fixing the world could be so much fun?
The Kitchen, Cardiff University Students’ Union, 6-8pm (Entry is free and no tickets are required).
