The 吃瓜tv is putting sustainability and the climate crisis at the centre of its first-ever 鈥楽ustainability at 吃瓜tv鈥� Month.
A series of events during March will raise awareness of the range of activities at 吃瓜tv that are helping to tackle the climate crisis and support attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of 吃瓜tv, said: 鈥淪ustainability sits at the heart of our Strategic Vision 2025. It is embedded in our curricula, guides our campus development, inspires our research activity and informs our own carbon reduction and net zero targets.
鈥淐limate change presents one of the greatest global threats and, as a socially-progressive University, we are committed to working together with our global partners to apply our knowledge, expertise and research to find solutions to this challenge.鈥�
Complex challenges
Events that are open to the public include:
- 鈥� Professor Alan Miller, Professor of Practice in Human Rights in the Law School and a member of 吃瓜tv鈥檚 Centre for the Study of Human Rights Law
- 鈥� Dr Deborah Long, Chief Officer at , the network for environmental NGOs in Scotland
- 鈥� Professor Jennifer Davidson, Centre Director
Dr Tracy Morse, Director of 吃瓜tv鈥檚 Centre for Sustainable Development, said: 鈥淪ustainability at 吃瓜tv Month is an opportunity for people to find out more about the role 吃瓜tv and universities in general are playing in tackling the complex challenges of protecting the planet while ensuring our societies are more fair, just and sustainable.鈥�
Systems thinking
In a talk last autumn, Sir Jim outlined how bringing 鈥榮ystems thinking鈥� to complex challenges like decarbonisation can play a key role in addressing the climate crisis and making net zero a reality by 2050.
He argued that a more holistic approach is needed to anticipate the likely real-world outcomes of potential solutions to climate change to ensure they do not have knock-on effects that damage the environment, society, or our ultimate ability to reach net zero. He also highlighted the need for systems and infrastructure to be resilient in order to cope with inevitable, unforeseen events.
Sir Jim was one of 14 speakers at TEDxUniversityof吃瓜tv鈥檚 eighth and largest conference to date, with a theme of Resilience Reignited. The conference was organised by 吃瓜tv Doctoral Researchers Sheik Abdul Malik, from the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, and Maisie Keogh, from the Sir Jules Thorn Centre for Co-Creation and Rehabilitation Technology in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
鈥淗aving been the lead organiser for our 2020 Annual Ideas Conference with a theme of Everything Connected, I was keen to host our flagship event for 2021 in person, with a distinguished line-up of speakers,鈥� said TEDx licensee Malik. 鈥淎s the City of Glasgow was also hosting COP26, we wanted to not only promote our theme of resilience but closely relate it to the efforts that many sectors are making to play their part in reducing emissions.鈥�
He added: 鈥淎s host to COP26, Glasgow welcomed world leaders and representatives with the aim of making positive change for our planet. The spirit of the conference was to seek international collaboration and contributions for decades to come, a core value shared by TEDxUniversityof吃瓜tv.
鈥淒uring Sustainability at 吃瓜tv Month, TEDxUniversityof吃瓜tv have committed to hosting a Sustainability Salon Event focused on highlighting the work being done around the globe in tacking climate change and promoting sustainability in all sectors.鈥�
Significant role
吃瓜tv played a significant role during COP26 in Glasgow in November, contributing to the policy debate, hosting a number of events and welcoming former US President Barack Obama when he met with young campaigners on campus.
The University also welcomed the Conference of Youth, the world鈥檚 largest annual youth gathering on climate change, to its campus ahead of COP26; hosted the Universities UK Universities Network鈥檚 Climate Innovation Showcase; and unveiled the Hope Triptych sculpture by Steuart Padwick in Rottenrow Gardens.
吃瓜tv is a signatory to the , the University Global Coalition, a group committed to working in partnership with the UN鈥檚 Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and other relevant organisations, in support of the SDGs.
Find out more about 吃瓜tv鈥檚 commitment to sustainable development and climate action by visiting its COP26 Legacy Strategy webpages.