From plastic cups piling up in bins after nights at the Pav to the cost-of-living crisis forcing people to make increasingly long commutes and climate anxiety impacting students’ emotional well-being, it is clear that creating a sustainable environment on campus and furthering climate action needs to be a part of any campaign with student wellbeing in mind. Considering the Student Union’s responsibility to protect students’ interests, The University Times set out to investigate: just how green is our upcoming Student Union body?
Most of the manifestoes of the newly elected SU do not specifically mention sustainability and climate action. Yet, sustainability and student welfare are closely linked. If climate-friendly transportation becomes more affordable, people will make use of it and profit at the same time. If awareness for climate action is increased, people can consider participating. Thus, almost all of the manifestoes, in commenting on student welfare, edge on related concerns, such as lobbying for better living and transport conditions and highlighting students’ options to get involved and make a change.
When asked about their stance on climate action and sustainability in college, newly elected SU president Seán Thim O’Leary stated that they believe in the role of the student union to hold the government as well as the college to account for their lack of climate action. O’Leary stated that “the SU has a role to push for … action through all levels’, and that ‘there is a lot of space to improve student quality of life with the transition to a more sustainable society”. Though they have no specific policies laid out as of yet, O’Leary noted that they want to work closely with the incoming environmental part-time officer, but did not give any specifics on climate action that they would take.
One of the prime sectors in which environmental-friendly organisation becomes crucial is event management. Orla Norton, the newly elected Ents Officer, has addressed sustainability as a key concern in her manifesto already, voicing her intent to create the position of a Sustainability Officer within the Ents Committee and banning single-use plastic cups from the Pav. “Sustainability is absolutely a priority for me next year”, Norton commented and stated that her aims include ensuring that the Pav becomes more sustainable and generally upholding a high standard for the Ents Committee. The position of a Sustainability Officer is intended to ensure maximum environmentally-friendly structuring of events and to plan whole events centred around sustainability.
Another field in which sustainability becomes an important concern is nutrition. Buster Whaley, the newly elected Education Officer has addressed the lack of easily affordable food across campus. In addition to this, there are few options for those with dietary restrictions and preferences, like more sustainable vegetarian and vegan options. Whaley commented that there is a need for proper facilities to serve student needs, and that the new dining hall project will offer the chance to cater to them. Inspired by recent additions in climate-focused modules, Whaley also stated he intends to outline a plan for introducing more such modules into the curriculum, in his words “helping students emotionally process the realities of ecological disaster” and “inspiring students to pursue careers or lifestyles centred around protecting the environment”.
Trinity College itself has repeatedly marketed itself as a trendsetter in research, including that in environmental protection. As a national, scientific, and artistic institution, the college carries an important role regarding the advocacy and upholding of environmentally friendly practices. Yet students are pushed emotionally and financially due to a lack of sustainable options and an atmosphere of climate anxiety. The Student Union will once more have a pivotal role in the advocacy of student’s interests.
Many of the officers’ plans as to how exactly environmental concerns will be addressed remain vague or subject to confirmation, but most have directly confirmed that sustainability will be a prime concern. The next two terms will show how successful the Union will prove in incoming President O’Leary’s declared goal “never to disregard climate or sustainability when advocating for student welfare; there is no excuse for backtracking on sustainability, within the SU, within college, or by our government”.
