Climate Emergency Statement

“The climate emergency is a race we are losing, but it is a race we can win.”

- UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, 2021.

UCASU remains committed to minimising our environmental impact and we will be facilitating opportunities for students to get involved with green initiatives. By declaring a climate emergency, we are officially acknowledging that we need to act on the causes and impacts of climate change.

The UN Environment Programme states that the science of climate change is well established and that human activity, largely the release of polluting gases from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), is the main cause. Climate change and ecological destruction affect all parts of life including what we need and value the most, such as water, food, ecosystems, wildlife, shelter, energy, transportation, health, communities and the economy. The basic human needs of many are already in jeopardy.

Our generation is one of the most disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, and it seems as though we are the only generation that will be able to reverse the damage of previous generations. With sustainability being a key focus for many students, we should be ambitious within our community and expect our creativity to influence this new era. One of our five Union values is being sustainable. By living by our values, we will make sure that we act in the best interests of students while considering how we impact others and our collective future.

The ongoing climate crisis often leaves one feeling hopeless, but we are far from powerless in this fight. The student voice is a powerful tool and has for years been instrumental in fights for justice. Now is the time for radical collective change and action.

You are not alone, we are in this fight together.

In solidarity,

Sol Gjøines & Gaebriel Min

President Kent & President Surrey 21/22

Click here to view the Climate Conscious Toolkit