The University is actively taking steps to look at our impact on climate change and wider sustainable development. We have signed an accord committing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and have developed a new Sustainability Strategy, building on existing activities, research and education strengths in this area. The University has also established a cross-institutional research theme ‘Climate Futures’, aligning its academic strengths to best meet environmental challenges, including developing solutions and identifying gaps where there is a need to generate new knowledge.
As part of COP26, the University’s Sustainability department ran a photography competition for both staff and students, inviting submissions of innovative digital images on the theme of ‘Stories of Climate Change’ which considers the impact of climate change on the planet. And the University is now pleased to announce the winners:
1st place Naomi Adam ‘Just One Planetto’
‘This image figuratively reflects upon one of the many consequences of climate change: global warming. In particular, this has affected the rapidly thawing Arctic permafrosts so regularly referred to in speeches by climate activist Greta Thunberg. NASA have also noted that sea height variation has increased a hundredfold since 1993. This is of especial concern to low-lying coastal areas like those around Liverpool, including Formby, where this photo was taken.’
Prize: Bird box and Bird Box camera kit
2nd place Joshua Dean ‘Siberian beach resort’
‘In 2017 flooding inundated the Kytalyk research station and destroyed thousands of pounds of eddy covariance equipment which was measuring the carbon source/sink capacity of the local tundra.’
Prize: Fire HD8 with Alexa
3rd place Aminah Graham ‘Clipped Wings’
‘We are destroying the earth and the world around us, wildlife is dying out and the freest of creatures, birds, are seeing a crisis. We have clipped the wings of the lives around us. We too shall follow, we will live and die in our industrial world if we do not change our ways fast. Those who grow alongside the earth will be the lone soldiers who will protect the natural world.’
Prize: Grow your own kitchen garden kit
Staff and students not currently on campus can also view all the entries at: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/sustainability/getinvolved/blog/
There is also a quick walkaround video tour of the exhibition currently standing in Abercromby square below:
All of the outstanding images received are being exhibited on Abercromby Square, aiming to inspire people through the arts; connecting to the human emotion of climate change, driving to build a greener, more sustainable future. The exhibition has been timed to coincide with the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021). The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. To build upon this, the University also has delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) meeting in Glasgow.
The Sustainability Department would like to thank all of the staff and students who submitted their amazing work and contribute to the exhibition.
Thanks also goes to Vicki O’Kelly and Laura McGarty from Research, Partnerships and Innovation for their invaluable time and assistance with this project.
The University has achieved a lot around sustainability in a remarkably short time, moving into the Times Higher Education Top 100 UN SDG Impact Ranking, publishing the Sustainability Strategy and its associated action plans. There is also the contribution from colleagues to the sustainability governance structure, the ongoing management of waste, carbon, external accreditations and reporting, the ongoing rewilding of campus, the expansion of travel options and travel infrastructures and the partnerships built to encourage others to be more sustainable. The University has also seen the growth of sustainability within the curriculum and a brand-new Sustainability website launching imminently.
Nicola Davies, Director of Finance and Chair of the Sustainability Board said: “The University of Liverpool is committed to building a more sustainable world for our staff, students, and whole society. We believe through being responsible custodians of our estate, collaborating with our students, and through harnessing the enthusiasm of our staff, we can ensure the University is zero carbon by 2035, and meet our wider sustainability ambitions too.”
The University is building a community of sustainability advocates and wants you to be a part of it. Visit the ‘Get Involved’ pages and help shape sustainability across the University and make an impact for generations to come through campaigns and events, volunteering roles and developmental opportunities.