Green Week a success
Green Week 2013 has been a tremendous success at Keele! From a heated debate on Fracking to the giant blackboards in Union Square to Green Nights at the KPA, the entire campus has been a-buzz with Sustainability. Whether you were volunteering, finding out how to get into a career in Sustainability, seeing the launch of the University’s new electric car, or simply tasting a green smoothie, the engagement of the campus and community has been inspiring.
Highlights
Food and Gardening
Students, staff and the local community came out to our food growing events. In the morning, Agnes Knoll led a workshop about growing food in small spaces, and we learned about identifying insects that will help your plants to thrive and those that will damage them. We also did some planting and bought back some herbs and salads to our homes and offices. (photos)
Later in the evening, a meeting was held in the KPA where we discussed the future of food growing on campus, especially Student Eats!, a new student-led food growing initiative. If you want to hear more about this project, contact Bekki at or sign up to our mailing list.
Fracking Debate
The Student Debating Society hosted a debate on the controversial topic of ‘fracking,’ (hydraulic fracturing), between two leading professors, Andy Dobson of SPIRE, and Peter Styles of EPSAM. Peter Styles mixed the fluid used in fracking at the table, tasting it along the way, while Andy Dobson provided fact after fact, arguing to abstain from fracking until more is known about it.
Valentine’s Green Fayre
The Sustainable Valentine’s Fayre at the Hub was a hit! With locals selling cupcakes to scarves, there were plenty of options for picking out something for your sweetheart, or even just for yourself. Notably, there was some delicious-looking dark chocolate marbled with lime white chocolate, and local beers!
Our Unknown Future
Chancellor Jonathon Porritt CBE spoke about the uncertainty in our future, and how universities can prepare their students to thrive in such a world. With Professor Andy Dobson chairing the event, Professor Pat Bailey spoke about Keele’s role in creating a sustainable future and students Carl Brindley and Zoe Hancock talked more specifically about green involvement at Keele and their views on the role of students in the University’s green future.
Tours
Tours were held of the Sustainability Hub and Sustainable Student Bungalow, giving the campus community insight into the sustainable activities taking place on campus. A guided walk of the arboretum was also held.
Events in Union Square
Blackboards were put up around campus and engaged a diverse array of students, staff and passers-by. Questions were posed, such as “International conferences: fly in or video link?”, “___________ is the most important thing in the world”, and “To me, equality is…”. Students filled up the boards with answers, ranging from serious to flippant, funny to moving.
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| Swishing Event | Valentines Fayre |
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| Green Week Volunteers | Arboretum Walk |
Ideas for next year’s Green Week? Feedback?Contact one of our Sustainability Project Officers: |