Flying, Climate Change and the “bystander effect”

It’s difficult to ignore the disconnect here – with highly mobile international students rubbing shoulders with others who have directly experienced the effects of climate change. This disconnect is particularly striking when observed in our relatively small international student community, but it highlights a global question: why do we carry on producing large carbon emissions when we know these are damaging the lives of others?

Alien species – the climate change invaders in your garden

As climate change progresses, more non-native species will be visiting our shores, our woodlands and fields – our rivers and trees. How people react when they encounter these new arrivals may determine our success in managing them.  Without that management, our local flora and fauna, our food supplies and our health may be at risk. …

Persuasive Messaging

Recently, I was asked to develop some “green” communications for my university department. I had two two climate conscious students, our wonderful Sustainability Champions (Hannah and Sage) to help me. Together, we hoped to shift the attitudes of students and colleagues in a more environmental direction.  But what sorts of communications might help achieve that? …

Climate change and having a family

Why is climate change now cropping up in peoples’ thoughts around family planning? In a recent global survey, more than 39% of young people reported climate change was making them feel hesitant about having children of their own. And this echoes similar reports for adults in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Europe: Those more …