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July 2023

Hi,

With record-breaking global temperatures in 2023, it can feel like runaway climate change is here. Over consumption of resources is driving the climate and ecological crisis - we're using too much, too fast.

The answer? To REDUCE what we use, and we can start with Plastic Free July.

Plus hear about the new Food Systems Institute, opportunities for citizen science and student volunteering.

So let’s get going!

Things you can do now

Plastic Free July

If you haven't already, there' s still time for you to get involved in the Choose to Refuse Challenge and help reduce plastic pollution.

Read on to find out more or visit the website.

Big Butterfly Count 2023

Our butterflies and moths need our help more than ever. Take part in this UK-wide survey to help assess the health of our environment simply by counting butterflies.

Find out more

Watch COP27 Talks

In December UoN and the SU hosted a series of lectures on the climate emergency and potential solutions, delivered by former MP Alan Simpson. You can now watch recordings of these online.

Watch here

A UoN environmental group grew out of the talks, bringing together staff, students and the community to explore acting locally on some of the discussed proposals.

News and announcements

Institute launched to transform the food system

The new Food Systems Institute will strengthen Nottingham’s reputation as the only UK university offering research expertise and capabilities across the food system, covering everything from production and processing to transport, consumption, waste and sustainability. The Institute will lead the charge towards a future where sustainable food production feeds the world, preserves our natural resources, and protects the delicate balance of our planet.

"The food system we have today is both a miracle and a disaster. Transforming it will require change at all levels: structural, cultural, local and individual."

— National Food Strategy

Progress towards our Civic Agreement

It’s been a year since the signing of the refreshed Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement. Some of the key successes and on-going projects so far, including those in Sustainability, are highlighted in a short progress report.

Read the progress report

Net Zero Tracker volunteer programme

The Net Zero Tracker, a research consortium founded to track the robustness of global net zero targets, is expanding its student volunteer programme. Help assess the targets of countries and companies.

Find out more

Upcoming events

July and August

Dr Bike is on campus

Dr Bike continues to visit campus throughout the summer. Book an appointment to have your cycle looked at.

Book your place now

All summer

Wildlife What's On

With the arrival of the summer holidays, take yourself, take the kids and go and explore one of our local wild spaces. Get inspired with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust's range of events.

Find an event

Plastic remains an ever-growing environmental problem. It's made with fossil fuels, we can't recycle it fast enough (if at all) resulting in the planet swimming in single-use items.

So how can we all REDUCE what we use and throw 'away'?.

Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July is a global movement helping millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution. Will you take part by choosing to refuse single-use plastics?

Not sure what plastics you can remove from your life? Take the Pesky Plastics Quiz to see what changes you can make and help inform global trend research.
Read some inspirational tips on how to reduce plastic waste.
Make a plastic pledge and complete other actions on Green Rewards to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Latte Levy

Don't forget that if you use a reusable in campus cafes you'll save up to 40p per drink through the Latte Levy. If you're buying three drinks a week, you could save around £50 a year! But currently only 15% of drinks sold on campus are in reusable cups.
...Nevertheless between October 22 to May 23, on campus we saved:

Get rewarded

Have your say on Green Rewards

Your feedback's important to us and helps us to develop Green Rewards further. That's why we want you to participate in our user survey. It takes less than 5 minutes, and you'll get 500 Green Points.

Take the survey

Green Rewards platforms run across Nottinghamshire, run by the universities and local councils.

511,138

actions completed across Nottinghamshire

1.07 tonnes

CO2 equivalent saved by UoN, NTU and local councils

Hi,

Things you can do now

Plastic Free July

Big Butterfly Count 2023

Find out more

Watch COP27 Talks

A UoN environmental group grew out of the talks, bringing together staff, students and the community to explore acting locally on some of the discussed proposals.

News and announcements

Institute launched to transform the food system

Read more

"The food system we have today is both a miracle and a disaster. Transforming it will require change at all levels: structural, cultural, local and individual."

Progress towards our Civic Agreement

Net Zero Tracker volunteer programme

Upcoming events

Dr Bike is on campus

Wildlife What's On

Plastic Free July

Latte Levy

Get rewarded

511,138

1.07 tonnes

Well done Chemical & Environmental Engineering for winning the Team Competition this term. They chose to donate £200 to Notts Wildlife Trust.

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