Week 3 of the Candlemas Semester is Green Week, a sustainability initiative spearheaded by the St Andrews Environment Subcommittee. Various events, fayres, and activities span from Monday, 10 February till Sunday, 16.
The Environment SubCom released their lineup for the week on Instagram (@standrewsenvironment) at the end of January.
Highlighted events include an Open Mic Night at Sandy’s Bar (10/2), a Bird Walk along the Scores (11/2), a Green Careers Fayre (12/2), a Climate Crisis Exhibit (13/2), Eco Craft and Food Fayre (15/2), and even a Pub Quiz to round off the week! For a full list of events, be sure to check out their page.
While subcommittee members are busy ensuring the success of the week ahead, Naomi Smith, Environment Officer for the subcommittee, generously filled me in on the work and inspirations behind the week.
Green Week has been a continuously evolving program since its origin in 2015. Since 2022, there has been a noticeable shift in including more community organisations in events, in what Naomi described as town-and-gown-collaboration.
She noted of the subcommittee: “we firmly believe that environmental issues affect every individual and one way we can make solutions community-wide is to connect students with more community organisations."
Some of this year’s community organisations include the St Andrews Environmental Network and Rewilding Kinkell Byre. On Tuesday afternoon of Green Week (11/2), students have the opportunity to register for the Rewilding Film Screening and Highland Cow Experience at Kinkell Byre!
Credit: Charlie Firth.
There are many ways the subcommittee supports students of all interests and disciplines in getting involved with sustainability and environmental action.
Eliza Patton, Sustainability Coordinator of the University’s Environment Team, wrote of Green Week: “I would encourage students to attend any events from the suite of activities collated by the Environment Subcommittee that pique their interests. This week is truly student-led, with an emphasis on networking with other students and providing an opportunity to explore new interests for those who haven’t been involved before.”
A great way to start is Wednesday’s Careers Fayre and following Sustainability in Careers workshop, connecting students with University staff members, including the Environment Team, who will be promoting opportunities for internships at the Fayre.
Credit: Instagram/@standrewsenvironment.
The impact of Green Week is evident in the students, and what they take away into their everyday lives.
On practicing living sustainability, Naomi said: “Educate, change your lifestyle, and inspire. Educate yourself on what interests you and what’s necessary to make a difference; take small steps to slowly change your lifestyle; once you’ve found what works for you, inspire your friends and family to take the next step.
“Don’t judge yourself or others too harshly for their efforts. Environmentalism is about finding what is best for you and not about comparing yourself with others. There is no such thing as a perfect environmentalist."
By participating in Green Week, St Andrews students have the opportunity to engage with inviting and exciting resources promoting a brighter and sustainable future for their community.
Volunteering with Transition (transition@st-andrews.ac.uk) or running to be a school/hall sustainability rep in the fall, are just two ways Eliza Patton suggests getting involved across St Andrews.
Environment@st-andrews.ac.uk can provide more information on these elected opportunities for students.
Relevant Instagrams:
@ustasustainable
@standrewsenvironment
@transitionstandrews
@rewildingkinkell
@unearthmag
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