Elizabeth Maggio-Kotkowska, a third-year student studying Combined Honours Biology and Computer Science, is already using the knowledge she has learnt during her degree to try and stop what she believes is “the single greatest problem facing the world right now”: climate change. 
 
“I study Biology and one of my modules is titled Human Impacts on the Environment, in which I see how crucial it is that our inefficient, unsustainable systems change” Elizabeth passionately explains.  
 
Last academic year, Elizabeth lived in the Sustainability Bungalow; a former caretaker’s home on campus which has been adapted and turned into an example of sustainable student living. The bungalow provides students with the opportunity to ‘live what they are learning’ and to use the house to encourage other students to also live more sustainably. This is a role that Elizabeth has taken seriously and used to spread word of her campaigns for a more sustainable lifestyle, by organising gardening sessions, upcycling craft workshops, holding movie nights to raise awareness of the environment and campaigning to end single-use plastic at the Students’ Union. 
 
In her first year, Elizabeth ran Student Eats; an initiative which saw students growing their own produce in allotments on campus. “I make every effort to be environmental in my life, from individual action, such as following a vegan diet, being mindful of my energy consumption and ensuring I have zero food waste, to collective action such as protesting and educating others” she adds. 
 
Elizabeth was also part of the first virtual climate action lobby, where she vocalised the importance of a green transition post-lockdown to her home MP, Theresa Villiers. 
 
It was Elizabeth’s desire to encourage collective action that saw her complete the Manchester Marathon earlier in the year with her friends Alex Irons, Ffion Jones and Siobhan Mundy, raising more than £500 in aid of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).  

She said: “I was part of a green fair next to the WWF stall at the University and was inspired to run to make a difference. I rallied together a community of people passionate about the planet and our impact on the environment. 
 
“I want to spread the word and inspire further joint action towards conservation efforts. Through fundraising, I hope to reach more people so that we can all become more aware of our individual impact and the vital importance of living sustainably, in symbiosis with planet Earth.” 
 
In addition to introducing Elizabeth to like-minded students who also view sustainable and environmentally friendly living as vital for our future survival, Keele has provided Elizabeth with financial support by providing funding for her to gain a Carbon Literacy certification. She says: “Keele has also given me a greater voice to express my ideas and inspired me to do more. The sustainability staff, especially Alana Wheat and Tom Bedford, have been very encouraging and inspired me to do more.” 
 
Now heading into her final year of study, Elizabeth explains her plans: “Saving food, collecting litter, planting as much as possible and caring for animals are all issues I want to focus on and I will continue to support Keele, its students and staff where I can. I also aim to get Olio and Too Good To Go onto campus so that we can further reduce waste and consciously redistribute food and other items.  
 
“I would also like to promote a better waste management strategy, so that students and staff are better educated on responsible waste disposal, and provide students with the choice to have a compost bin in their accommodation. 
 
“I believe that climate change, the degradation of our natural world and the worldwide extinction of animals is the single greatest problem facing the world right now, and it is our responsibility to protect and care for our planet.”