UQ’s fourth annual Sustainability Week wrapped up on Friday 19 August after a fun-packed five days of talks, tours, workshops, competitions, activities and more.
Since launching in 2013, Sustainability Week has become a firm fixture in the University calendar. It’s designed to educate, engage and entertain the UQ community, incorporating all aspects of sustainability—from transport, recycling and waste to biodiversity and climate-change solutions—in its diverse line-up of events.
This year’s program featured stronger-than-ever student representation, including student-led events such as the ‘Life on the Wild Side’ seminar, film screening and workshop hosted by International House Residential College and the Student Energy Network’s Cli-Mate Forum, a lively discussion about the effects of climate change.
UQ Environmental Collective and UQ Union also helped power up Ride to Uni day on Thursday 18 August, when they set up a smoothie cycle in Campbell Place for sustainable commuters to put their breakfast into a spin after biking to campus.
Two exciting new transport initiatives were also launched during Sustainability Week: GoGet, Australia’s largest car-sharing service, is now available at St Lucia for staff, students and the local community; Commuter Xpress, an innovative new van-pooling scheme for staff and students who live over 40 kilometres from campus, is in the process of being piloted at UQ and promises an affordable, efficient and sustainable transport option.
Other popular events included the School of Psychology’s Cowspiracy film screening, the tree-planting sessions at St Lucia, Long Pocket and Gatton, fitness expert Murray Altham’s ‘Embracing a Healthy and Sustainable Lifestyle’ seminar and the St Lucia rooftop solar tour.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Sustainability Week and helped make it such a resounding success.
