Exec Blog

Last year at the Better University forum, we passed an idea that the Union should lobby the university to become a “Transition University”. If you're not sure what that means, here it is in a nutshell:

What is Transition?

1) Your university will become greener and more environmentally sustainable.
2) Your university will invest your money in ethical projects, not destructive ones.
3) Creating strong local networks that give you control over decisions that affect your life.

What changes will you see?

1) Local produce will be more affordable and available.
2) An increase in the universitiy's connection with local groups and organisations in order to make it easier for you to be involved in a positive social change in Leeds.
3) More films, talks and workshops on a variety of social and environmental issues
4) The money you pay the university will be invested in progressive companies that do not exploit humans and our planet

This week we launched our Transition University campaign, working with LUU societies and staff from the university to show you what kind of things you’d see if we were a Transition University. The foyer was filled with stalls from loads of different groups, help workshops in the space opposite Essentials and finished with a film showing in the Common Room.

We thought that rather than describing what happened, it'd be better to show you - so we've got a few videos of the people involved in the day...with a brief intro from the Bens:

Here’s Sam giving a really short description of “Transition”:

Rhiannon and Martha talk about what happened on the day:

Freya and Olivia from Conservation Volunteers explaining what they do:

Sustainable Action Group are opening a beehive on campus:

One of the big issues highlighted was the amount of things we waste unneccesarily:

And the coolest bit of the day - a bike-powered blender!

We’re really excited about this idea – not only would it mean we’d have a more sustainable campus, but it would help staff and students work together on projects in partnership…

And the best thing – all of this has been student-led.

If you want to get involved, here are a few places to get more information:

• Join "Leeds Goes Green" - a network of students and staff interested in green issues. There's also a mailing list.
• Follow the campaign on Twitter.
• Find out about the University's "it all adds up" campaign and Leeds University Union's Green Guide.
• Talk to People and Planet, Green Action, Conservation Volunteers, Sustainable Action Group, Envirosoc and/or the Bardon Grange Project!