Sustainable Universities - Get Involved!
This page provides links to enable staff and students at the University of Queensland, and members of the community, to get involved with campaigning for a more sustainable university.
1. Please consider sending the Vice Chancellor a letter or email (vc@uq.edu.au) to voice your support for UQ to sign on to the Talloires Declaration. This 10-point statement of commitment to sustainability goals has already been signed by over 350 universities internationally, including 12 Australian universities (full text of the declaration available http://www.ulsf.org/pdf/TD.pdf). So far, UQ Climate for Change and the NTEU have gained the Vice Chancellor’s interest in the Declaration, and your voice may be the extra impetus that is needed for UQ to join this global initiative – see which Australian Universities have signed up at: http://www.nteu.org.au/campaigns/ouruniversitiesmatter/environmental.
2. Find out more about the groups involved in organising the "Sustainable UQ" Forum, and consider becoming involved in their activities or encouraging others to learn more
NTEU
If you would like to find out more about how staff at universities
across Australia are asking to work at sustainable workplaces
through their Union, the NTEU, or would like to be involved when
the union negotiates the next Collective Agreement (including
legally binding clauses on environmental matters) contact the NTEU
UQ Branch Office on ext. 52538 or m.mcnally@qld.nteu.org.au.
UQ Climate for Change
If you would like to find out more and get involved in the Climate
for Change group's ongoing activities for advocacy and
awareness, please contact Jessie.wells@uq.edu.au, or
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uqclimateforchange/.
Climate for Change encourages you to contribute your views and
ideas on a systemic plan for sustainability at UQ – the full text
of our discussion paper ‘Sustainability at UQ’ can be accessed
here: www.nteu.org.au/bd/uq/researchcommittee/submission.
UQ Environment Collective
EC is a group of students who are passionate about the environment.
The collective is an open group, and meets weekly during semester.
We participate in a range of environmental campaigns and
activities, from promoting sustainable transport to supporting the
Ecobug Food Co-op and an anti-nuclear campaign. We are part
of the Australian Student Environment Network (www.asen.org.au) a national network
of students active on environmental justice issues, who organise
the annual Students of Sustainability Conference –
www.studentsofsustainability.org. If you would like to
find out more about any these initiatives contact kristy.walters@gmail.com or
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uq_ec/.
UQ SUST – Student Union Sustainability
Taskforce
UQsust is a joint initiative of the UQ Environment Collective, UQ
Climate for Change, and UQ Properties and Facilities Division,
working together to develop and demonstrate sustainability projects
centred on the student union facilities, to improve resource
efficiency and waste management and raise environmental awareness.
Students involved in UQsust meet on a regular basis, and hold
joint meetings with P&F staff each month. If you are interested
in getting involved please contact Hava by email (chavi2383@hotmail.com).
We hope that this forum has sparked or deepened your interest in issues of sustainability and climate change, and that you will take the opportunity to learn more, talk to others, or become involved through any of the organising groups.