Environment and Ethics

Welcome to the environment and ethics page of our website. Here you’ll find all the information you need to know about what your union does to reduce our impact on the world, and how you can get involved.

In a world becoming more and more global, Environmental and Ethics issues can no longer be ignored. The Students’ Union believes that actions must be taken at local, national and worldwide levels to make the planet more sustainable.

QMUSU recently adopted a Sustainable policy (The Students Union Policy ) committing to monitor the environmental aspects of its activities (Environmental Aspects and Impacts of The Students’ Union) and to campaign for rising awareness of ecological issues amongst its members.

Working alongside the University, who ranks as one of the most sustainable campus in the UK for its facilities, The Students’ Union aims to:

-       Reduce waste and energy consumption;

-       Increase the purchase of Fairtrade goods;

-       Support environmental and ethics initiatives.

What we do: recycling and energy savings

The Students’ Union, in conjunction with the University, encourages students and staff to recycle waste as much as possible to lower their carbon footprint.

The scheme in place on campus facilitates recycling with many recycling points across the Students’ Union allowing the collection of the following items:

-       Paper and card

-       Cardboard

-       Cans and glass

-       Plastic bottle and wrappings

-       Ink Cartridges

Don’t recycle only when you are at the University and take actions in your home to reduce waste (http://zerowastescotland.org.uk)

Reducing carbon foot print is also about using as little energy as we can!

Water, lighting and other electrical equipment is the Students’ Union, as across the campus, is eco friendly helping us to control the use of energy. We believe everyone had a responsibility in reducing the carbon foot print and this is why you can see little reminders all around the Union encouraging you to switch off light and appliances when you don’t use it.

Many institutions’ building have lights on permanently even when there is no use for it. NUS created Snap it Off (http://snapitoff.nus.org.uk) in response to concerns from students about how much energy is being wasted through unnecessary lighting.

The Students’ Union only uses public transport or shared private car for the purpose of its business to show its respect with the environment.

But you can also make a difference by changing your way of transport whenever you travel (http://www.chooseanotherway.com/)

We also lobby the University for the paper used to be partly recycled and for the implementation of a recycling scheme in Halls

 

 

Supporting Fairtrade

Jointly with the University the Students’ Union has been developing initiatives to achieve the campus Fair trade status. Since 2011, the University and The Students’ Union have been accredited as Fair Trade institution by the Fair Trade foundation (link to website http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/ )

Fairtrade products are offered for purchase whenever possible and we commits to continually raise awareness about Fairtrade supporting the University to hold events throughout the year (Fairtrade Christmas market, Fashion show, film screening).

With promoting Fairtrade, The Students’ Union contributes to improve the live of farmers in developing countries through helping the increase of products bought at a fair price.

 

 

 

Student campaigns and groups

The Students’ Union supports its members to get involved in campaigning to promote environmental initiatives and raise awareness on ethical issues.

“Sustainability is always high up the union’s list of priorities, with a big building and so many students we make a big impact on the world, but we can also make a big difference. And now, with ice caps melting and resources being depleted- it is more important than ever to do something about it. As well as this there are still places in the world where people are exploited and human rights aren’t as fair as they are elsewhere, but at the union we want to help students get involved in making a difference and putting an end to this.”

Fergus Boden, Environment and Ethics Officer 2011-2012

So if you want to make a difference then you can!

 

 

QMUSU’s Amnesty International group is one of the newest Student Amnesty groups in Scotland, they get together to organise innovative campaigns to raise awareness of world-wide Human Rights issues, as well as working with other groups from throughout scotland. If this sounds up your street, or you want to know more, contact Anne on 09006925@qmu.ac.uk or Yasmin on 09006580@qmu.ac.uk“

If fair trade’s more your cup of tea then the University has a group who works on its fair trade initiatives, to get involved email environmentandethicsofficer@qmu.ac.uk.

We’ve also recently dug a student allotment. This means that you could grow your own food which will save you money and keep you healthy, as well as keeping you fit with the digging AND it reduces the food miles! Everyone’s a winner. For more information contact environmentandethicsofficer@qmu.ac.uk

The union also has its own Raise And Give group, who organise events and do anything they can to raise money for a variety of charities, while meeting new people and having fun along the way. If this interests you email Elin on10002827@qmu.ac.uk.

If you still want to know more about anything on the page, or the union’s Sustainability, then email Fergus on environmentandethicsofficer@qmu.ac.uk