go! April newsletter: Your sustainable choices matter

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April 2024

Hi, it's Earth Day 2024!

22 April marks Earth Day, an event that mobilises 1 billion people worldwide into positive actions for the planet. We'll show you lots of ways to take action for the planet and what the university is also doing.

With summer on the way, it’s a perfect time to give cycling a try. Visit our cycle fair and get help to start travelling more sustainably.

So let’s go!

Things you can do now

April 22 is Earth Day

In 2024 the focus is on ending plastic waste and demanding a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040.

Find out more

Vote in the 2 May elections

The first ever election for a mayor for the East Midlands takes place on 2 May. Whoever's elected must use the powers they have to make as big a difference as possible. Use your vote to support candidates who champion the environment.

Find out more

UoN HealthyU My Great Outdoors

Is there an outdoor place you love to get active? Whatever the place or the activity, post a photo of your favourite outdoor space and students will be in with a chance of winning £50 Amazon.

Find out more

No Mow May starts soon

The UK's lost 97% of flower-rich meadows since the 1930’s. With them gone, so too are vital food sources for pollinators. But your lawn can help! A healthy lawn with some long grass and wildflowers benefits wildlife, tackles pollution and can lock away carbon. So this May, lock up you mower and let it grow!

Our campuses will also be taking part in No Mow May and spaces left to grow wild

News and announcements

University invests in sustainable heat source

A Low-Carbon Energy Centre will be created on University Park which uses energy from deep under the surface in the form of an open loop water source heat pump. The plans also include improvements to ventilation and glazing.

Find out more

UoN launches national inquiry into transition to net zero

The Institute for Policy and Engagement has launched a policy commission with former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Honorary Professor Lord Watson, to investigate a just transition to net zero.

Investment to power future transport to net zero

The university has secured more than £70 million to establish new world-leading and open-access research facilities and programmes that will decarbonise future transport.

Read more

Cycle hire with U-cycle

U-Cycle is UoN's bike hire scheme, run by the student org Enactus. It helps students and staff start cycling to campus, without having to purchase a bike. It's a hassle-free, affordable and environmentally friendly. Semester bike hire is only £45.

Find out more

Time to celebrate!

Climate education training kicks off at UoN

At the end of March, the university held its first ever large-scale Climate Fresk workshop. Over 30 staff and students were educated on the science of climate change and empowered to take effective action to tackle it. They were led by a team of 12 facilitators made up of fellow staff and students who were specifically trained to deliver the event.

Read the blog

"What makes Climate Fresk really impactful is not only that we discuss what is happening to our planet and the implications of warming, but we are also provided with a space to discuss changes that we can make to help reduce our own emissions."

— Hannah, geography student and Climate Fresk facilitator

More Climate Fresk workshops are planned so register your interest in taking part now

Pen recycling scheme saves 30kg pens from landfill

UoN's pen recycling scheme is reducing waste whilst helping local schools. Led by the Technicians Sustainability Working Group, this initiative is reducing landfill waste and recycling used pens across UoN.

Read the blog

Upcoming events

18-29 April

Dr Bike is on campus

Dr Bike is a free on-site bike maintenance service run with local charity Nottingham Bikeworks. This service is open to all UoN staff and students. Sessions are run at locations on campuses most weeks.

Book your place now

10-2pm 2 May, George Green Library Quad

Cycle Fair on University Park

Take advantage of the warmer weather and get cycling, it's great for your health and your pocket! Nottingham Bikeworks are selling refurbished bikes and providing advice on bike maintenance. Lime Bikes, Notts Police and UoN Security will have info and freebies to keep you and your bike safe and secure.

5-11 May

Hedgehog Awareness Week

This annual event from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society highlights the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them. At UoN, the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Group raise awareness of hedgehogs while taking practical steps to improve hedgehogs habitats on our campuses.

The Hedgehog Friendly Campus Group share facts about hedgehogs, the threats they face and how we can all help them to thrive.

14 May

Carbon Literacy Training

UoN staff are invited to become Carbon Literate with a training session from Nottingham Trent University. From this single day of training, you can earn a globally recognised CLT accreditation.