D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | V O L . I

IN THISEDITION

Sustainable presents Zero waste X-mas

Sustainable IG

Green Spotlight

Beef Ban

Winter Recipes

Student Opinion Flash

Green Reading

Call to Action

Editorial Team

I M P A C T N E W S L E T T E R The University of Leicester Student-led

Social Impact Newsletter

The aim of the newsletter is tocommunicate about sustainabilitymatters from current University ofLeicester students. We are allfamiliar with the concept ofsustainability but it can feel quiteoverwhelming to comprehend.

It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas:shops are bustling, lights are shining,great offers are popping outeverywhere... But with greatChristmas comes great responsibility.Can we be eco-conscious during thebest (and environmentally worst)season of the year? The answer is: ohyes! Keep reading to find out how.

Revolutionise Christmas

"By removing beef and lamb from menus andpromoting plant-based food options, theyhave seen a 33% reduction in carbonemissions per kilogram of food purchased".

Quick Scoop

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Here’s how we can be environmentallyconscious without giving up our belovedChristmas vibes:Instead of buying new decorations eachyear, we can get them from second-handshops and donate to charities, or makeour own (which is a great way to engagethe little ones). Pinterest is full ofamazing ideas! Real Christmas trees are magical… toobad they end up in landfills after theholidays. If you don’t like artificial treesand don’t want to give up on theChristmas charm, ask your localcommunity if they provide Christmastrees recycling schemes, or better treerental schemes, so that the trees arethen replanted!  

That's a wrap.. withChristmas wrappingpaper!

Make sure to buy eco-friendly Christmascrackers as  most of them are notrecyclable! Did you know that each year, overChristmas, 227,000 miles of wrappingpaper are wasted in the UK alone? As ifit were not enough, the shiny wrappingpaper that so often covers our gifts can’teven be recycled and adds to the114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging thatend up in British landfills after theholiday season. Why don't you have a go at making ZeroWaste Christmas presents? Turn to thenext page to find out how!

With great Christmas, comes an even greater responsibility. We allunderstand that Christmas decorations adds a sparkle  to the seasonalspirit but have we considered where our stuff comes from? Can we have asustainable Christmas during the most precious time of the year?

Sustainable presents?A Greener ChristmasMartina Garancini

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Experiences over objects:

Double the value of yourChristmas present by buying insecond-hand and charity stores.Not only will you gift your lovedones with something thoughtfuland unique, you will also reduceyour impact on the planet andmost of all support great causes.Isn’t this what Christmas is allabout?

They say “diamonds are forever”,but memories are also everlasting.Sometimes more intangible giftssuch as a gym membership for anathletic partner, a paintingworkshop for an artsy friend, a spaday for your mum, or even just adinner out with the people you carethe most can be great ways to showyour love on Christmas.

Homemade gifts are perfect forpenniless students. If you’re atalented artist, you canshowcase your skills and giftyour loved ones with yourcreations. Alternatively, you canlook for recycling ideas onPinterest and test yourself. If youlike getting creative in thekitchen, what about bakingginger biscuits and mince pies?

1 Gift creativity… and treats!

Go plastic free:Nowadays we can find plastic-freealternatives for pretty much anycosmetic item. Soap bars, solidshampoos, conditioners and bodyoils, naked make-up, face masks…you name it! A nice gift idea couldbe a “zero-waste starter pack”that comprises plastic-freecosmetics and other zero wasteessentials such as a bambootravel mug and a refillable bottle.You can have a look at the Plan-ItChange zero waste shop for moreinspo!

Two for one: Be a secret santa

Christmas shopping can be a nightmarewhen you feel like you have to buypresents for everyone you know. Ifyou’re part of a large family or group offriends, you can organise a SecretSanta. This way you can buy a nicer andmore useful gift for just one person inthe group, with the added benefit ofreducing your impact on theenvironment… and your wallet.

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@wwf_uk The World-wide Fund for Nature UKis one of the most recognisedenvironmental groups out there. Thisprovides education about theimpacts of the climate crisis on bothwildlife and people. Great for you if: You’re an animallover and want to keep up to datewith news about global wildlife.

There is an overwhelming amount of information about sustainabilityonline, it can be difficult to know where to begin. So why not simplyincorporate our environmental education into what we already do?That’s why I’ve curated a selection of my five top Instagram accountsto educate us on sustainability!

Top 5 social media eco-accountsIsabel Shave

@fash_rev Fashion Revolution is an account devoted tosustainable fashion. With facts and statsabout the benefits of thrifting and makingclothes yourself, it is a hub of creativity. Great for you if: Fashion is your passion, butthe environment is also your passion.

@ecosia

Ecosia is the account for the searchengine of the same name. This profitfrom these searches then funds theplanting of trees around the world.Their Instagram account is a great placeto find information about their projectand has a few tips and tricks on livingeco-consciously. Great for you if: You want to activelymake a big difference by making a smallchange and have concerns aboutinternet fairness and transparency.

@everydayclimatechange This account documents climate changeacross the globe, and features top qualityphotography of the world, as it isimpacted by climate change. It alsofeatures news and statisticsaccompanying each photo. Great for you if: You want a globalperspective on climate change and youlike photography.

@planitchange This account is one for us lot in Leicester! Astudent-led environmental group, that hasinformation about getting involved insustainability within university. Great for you if: You’re a student at theUniversity of Leicester and want to find like-minded eco-conscious peers.

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Green Spotlight: 4OceanThomas Oliver

Since the airing of Blue Planet II, many of ushave become far more aware of the plasticcrisis and the dangers that it poses. Followingpopular outcry over the extend and severityof the problem, many organisations havetaken up the call to action. One suchorganisation is 4Ocean. It was founded in2017 by Andrew Cooper and Alex Schulzewith the mission to clean up our oceans andcoastlines; shaping consumption habitsthrough the process. 4Ocean has grownsignificantly since its foundation, spanningthree locations (Bali, Florida, and Haiti) andemploying hundreds of full-time local boatcaptains/workers to remove plastic from ourmarine areas. So far 4Ocean have removedover 7.1m lbs (over 3200 tons) of plastic anddebris from our oceans (4Ocean). This is anincredibly inspiring and exciting change, onethat I hope will continue to thrive.

Despite, the honourable and persistentefforts of organisations like 4Ocean, theplastic crisis is growing every day. It is hardfor many of us, including myself, to fullygrasp the magnitude of the crisis at hand.Between 4.8m - 12.7m tonnes of plastic enterour oceans each year (NHM). A singletakeaway coffee cup that is often used foronly a few minutes, for instance, takes over30 years to degrade. A single plastic bottletakes 450 years! (WWF). Marine lifecommonly dies from suffocation andstarvation as plastic entangles them or fillstheir stomach. Similarly, the WWF estimates,that on average we ingest over 5 grams ofmicro plastic every week; the equivalentweight of a credit card (Your Plastic Diet).4Ocean are doing amazing work to tackle thisissue, but they need our help.

Plastic pollution is the responsibility ofevery single one of us. Given that we ourconstantly surrounded by plastic, everyonecontributes to this crisis in some shape orform. The biggest act an individual can doto help tackle the plastic crisis is to simplyreduce their plastic dependency. Simpleacts, such as using a reusable bottle/cup,shopping bags, straws, reusablecutlery/containers in your everyday life canmake a notable impact. Joining andsupporting those organisations whichlobby and act against the plastic crisis isanother great way to do your part. It is upto every single one of us to make adifference. Do you really want to keepeating a credit card every week?

What canyou do to

help?

Air planes & Avocados 2019

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Last month the University of East AngliaStudents’ Union voted to ban beef oncampus; the latest joining a number ofother universities in collective action(Cambridge and Goldsmiths being thetwo other beef-free campuses) (TheEcologist). Beef, and the animalagricultural industry in general, is a hugecontributor to the climate emergency andglobal environmental degradation. Percalorie, for example, beef requires 160times more land and produces 11 timesmore greenhouse gas emissions thanwheat or rice (The Guardian). Indeed, thecattle industry is also unique in its shearproduction of methane. Methane is overthirty times more potent than CO2 as agreenhouse gas. Meaning that each cowannually heats the Earth as much as 600litres of petrol (The Guardian). This is without even mentioning theunbelievable biodiversity cost of the cattleindustry. It is estimated that the cattleindustry accounts for over 75% of globalfarmland use (equivalent to an area thesize of the US, China, European Unionand Australia combined); destroying keybiodiverse habitats (The Guardian). Sadly,through slash and burn agriculture,cattle-rearing is now the main driver ofdeforestation and ecological destructionin the Amazon Rainforest, fuelled by theglobal demand for beef.  

We need more universities to recognisebeef for what it is and be bold to ban it.The University of Cambridge has shownthe way. By removing beef and lambfrom menus and promoting plant-basedfood options, they have seen a 33%reduction in carbon emissions perkilogram of food purchased. This iswhilst retaining the same level ofcustomers and increasing gross profits(University of Cambridge). There is reallyno excuse for universities to resist suchmeasures. It is yet to be seen whetherthe University of Leicester will be boldand join other trailblazing universities inbanning beef.

Avoiding purchasing beef and lambproducts on campus would be a greatstart in urging the University to act.Joining or creating a campaign to helplobby the University to ban beefproducts on campus could produce realchange. Yet, this is not just a campusissue. It is up to everyone to reducetheir meat consumption in everyday life.Indeed, the single biggest thing you cando to reduce your carbon footprint is totransition towards a vegetarian or vegandiet. There is huge potential to createchange on an individual and campuslevel so let’s act.

University Beef BanThomas Oliver

These ‘beef bans’ across our universitiesare therefore crucial in the fight againstthe climate emergency and the sixthmass extinction.

What can youdo to help?

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The Recipe

Don’t be afraid to experiment with thisrecipe and add your own twist, whetherthat is substituting parsnips for carrots,adding in a sweet potato or two, orincluding another vegetable of choice. Trycooking it on a Sunday night, and you canenjoy it for lunch throughout the week.Send in your photos so we can see how itwent!

Ingredients (for around 4-6 portions)

Winter Veg Soup (Vegan)

Lucy Gardner

This recipe is easy to make, and great for the winter months when youwant something warm and filling to eat! Follow our tips for buying yourvegetables to make it even more sustainable.

Challenge your inner veganism

Equipment

Sharp KnifeChopping board Peeler Large pan with lid Wooden spoon Hand/stick blender

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1. Dice the onion, and peel and chop thevegetables into cubes. 2. Heat oil in a pan and add the onion, withsalt, pepper and mixed herbs. Fry untilcooked. 3. Add the chopped vegetables along with600ml stock, which should cover most of thevegetables, but leave the tops showing. If thesoup begins to boil dry, add more wateraccordingly. 4. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat.Cover and allow to simmer until thevegetables are cooked (approximately 15minutes). 5. Test the vegetables are cooked throughwith a fork. If they are still tough, allow toboil for longer. 6. Add the coconut cream and stir well. 7. Remove from the heat and blitz with ahand blender until smooth. 8. Add salt and pepper to taste & sprinkle afew chia seeds.

Method

LEICESTER MARKET is a great location to getcheap produce in bulk. Most of it comeswithout plastic packaging, so don’t forget totake your own reusable bags. SUPERMARKETS have also started selling‘naked’ fruit and vegetables, as well as bread.You can buy net produce bags in-store atsome locations to replace the plasticwrapping. MORRISONS sell a ‘Wonky Veg Box’ for £3.50,which contains seasonal produce theywouldn’t usually sell. Despite the plastic sheetcovering the contents, the box itself isrecyclable. It’s a great deal, and the vegetablesare absolutely fine to eat.

1 onion2 parsnips2 carrots4 potatoes1 swede600ml vegetable stock250ml coconut creamSaltPepperMixed herbsChia seeds (optional)Bread (to serve)

Sustainable fruit & veg

LOCAL GREENGROCERS are a fantastic place tofind produce without plastic wrapping. TheAllotment, a new fruit and veg store, is set toopen on the 15th of December on QueensRoad. They’ll also sell reusable cotton producebags! You can find them on Facebook andInstagram at @allotmentleicester

Winter Veg Soup (Vegan)Useful tips:

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Ingredients

P H O T O B Y M A R T I N R . S M I T H

T H E J O U R N A L P A G E 2

Student Opinion Flash

In this part of our newsletter, we hand over to you and ask for youropinions! This issue’s question is:

Do you think that universities should have a responsibility to be eco-friendly?

Students' sustainability reflectionsIsabel Shave

“I think 100% that universities have aresponsibility to be eco-friendly. Universities arefull of so many intelligent people so it baffles meto think that they wouldn’t already feel the needto be eco-friendly considering our currentenvironmental situation”Emily, Masters Psychology student

“Yes, because they have the next generation whoare bringing eco-friendliness forward and thereare lots of universities around the country thatcould help”Anonymous, third year Medical Biochemistrystudent

“Universities have the same responsibility asanyone else, and everyone should beresponsible for the environment”.Tom, second year Physics student

“I think they should have responsibilitiesbecause they can instil good habits suchas recycling and using reusable items intoyoung people”Gemma, fourth year French andEnglish student

“Universities have a major responsibility tobe eco-friendly. They are institutions ofknowledge that are frequented by staff,students, and the public all year round.How can an institution be committed toknowledge and making the world a betterplace, if it doesn’t take measures to protectthat world? It would be hypocritical not tobe actively eco-friendly in an era whereclimate catastrophe is on the horizon” Sam, final year History student

“Yes, because universities are a breeding groundfor new ideas people who are more likely toprotest”Hannah, first year Psychology student

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T H E J O U R N A L P A G E 2

Green ReadingFeral by George Monbiot

Rewilding: The process of reintroducing lost species and restoringnatural ecosystems

Hippopotamus in the Thames? Bears inScotland? Lions in Kent? No this is not a masszoo breakout, but ancient stories of a oncewilder and fascinating Britain. Feral, by therenowned journalist and environmental activistGeorge Monbiot, is now a cornerstone ofmodern British nature writing and the ‘rewilding’movement. Illustrating the wild Britain that oncewas; of lynx, boar, beavers, bison, lions, andelephants and how we could one day get it back.For some time, this was the book that sat on myshelf; promising that someday I would getaround to reading it.

One day I did, and it is fair to say that I went inwithout an exhaustive knowledge of the truestate of British. Yet, Feral is one of those raretreasures that completely changes the way yousee the world and your place within it. I learnthow utterly decimated our ecosystems truly are;how close our natural world is to the brink ofextinction and biological collapse.

If you are someone who is eager to knowthe truth about an issue; who enjoyschallenging your perceptions of the world;or simply someone wanting to know moreabout the environment, then I urge you toread this book. I am confident that youwon’t regret it!

(P.S. Reading Feral along withIsabella Tree’s Wilding is agreat combination)

Though, refreshingly, Feral allows you todream of a wilder and more awe-inspiringworld; filled with a cornucopia of weird andwonderful animals. You wish for the daywhen you could explore the ‘Maasai Mara’of Britain. Indeed, the field has gained somuch support, that rewilding is nowrecognised as a major cornerstone in thefight against climate change and the sixthmass extinction. Monbiot gives you a lot tothink about in Feral.

Thomas Oliver

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Call to actionIf you are interested of gettingyour writing featured pleasecontact se168@le.ac.uk

Upcoming events:Follow our social media pages to stayupdated with upcoming events in thenew year

Editorial Team

Martina Garancini English Erasmus Student Isobel ShaveThird Year English Lucy GardnerMA English Thomas OliverThird Year Politics & IR

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Impact Newsletter

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