Behaviour Change

Moving out at the end of term can feel chaotic - packing up your room, figuring out what to do with leftover food, and deciding what’s worth taking home. The good news? A few simple choices can save you time, reduce waste, and even help others in the local community. Here’s how to move out sustainably: 1. Pack smart (and skip the waste) Before you grab a stack of cardboard boxes, check what you already have: Use suitcases, duffle bags, and storage boxes you already own Ask local shops or supermarkets for spare boxes instead of buying new ones Wrap…

Marine conservation is often reduced to a familiar list of actions. Use less plastic. Eat sustainable seafood. Reduce carbon emissions. Blah, blah… These of course are sensible ideas, but repeating them endlessly risks oversimplifying the real challenges facing our oceans. Many of the most significant pressures on marine ecosystems are systemic, political, and largely invisible. The Real Pressures on UK Marine Ecosystems In the UK, key marine conservation issues include declining water quality, chemical pollution, overexploitation of fisheries, and climate driven ecosystem change. Nutrient runoff from agriculture and urban areas contributes to algal blooms and oxygen loss in coastal waters.…

Lights are often left on in unoccupied areas across our campuses, both during the normal working day and out of hours. In some cases, there are valid reasons for this such as health and safety (e.g. on stairwells). However, in many instances the lights could be turned off without negatively impacting anyone. Therefore, saving energy, money and carbon emissions. What’s the aim? The Sustainability Team and Sustainability Champions across the university are running a campaign this autumn and winter which seeks to change individual behaviours and the culture across the university. The campaign aims to ensure that lighting is only…

The Department for Education (DfE) has opened applications for its Youth Sustainability Champion positions, a national sustainability leadership opportunity which University of Reading students can apply for. About the Youth Sustainability Champions scheme Are you 18-23 and passionate about sustainability and education? The Department for Education are recruiting for the next cohort of Youth Sustainability Champions (formerly Youth Focal Points) – three young people who will help shape education policy and provide a youth voice mechanism in heart of policy making. This is an incredible two-year opportunity to get involved in national decision making alongside civil servants and government ministers,…