In the midst of the current global pandemic, UWC Adriatic students have remained committed to tackling one of the most pressing issues: the climate crisis. Adapting to the challenge of working remotely, our student-run Sustainability Council took their planned Green Week online last week (March 23-28), and provided a welcome opportunity for the whole college community to unite – albeit online – not just for lessons but also for afternoon and evening activities on environmental issues.
Each day of Green Week revolved around a different ecosystem theme. From frozen worlds to rainforests, freshwater systems to coastal areas and deserts, the students of the Sustainability Council researched the ecosystem of the day, sharing information and reflections with the whole college community via email. Each evening, a live screening of the show ‘Our Planet’ took place, with students encouraged to dress to match the ecosystem as they tuned in together over Zoom. In addition to the live screenings, different days had additional ‘focus’ sessions. These were on topics as diverse as ,‘greenwashing’ and ‘fast fashion’, and involved more active discussion and debate. Thursday’s focus, led by our Rettore Will Turner, involved a presentation and a question and answer session on his family’s choice to lead a plastic-free lifestyle.
The ongoing work of the sustainability council will culminate in due course in the publication of a 5-year action plan. The plan outlines the ways in which UWC Adriatic is committed to becoming more sustainable, including measures to reduce water, paper and food waste as well as energy consumption.
As the outbreak of coronavirus reminds us, we all share one environment and all have an active role in ensuring the sustainability of our actions going forward. The Sustainability Council aims to encourage a community culture such that all of its members are not only more aware of their environmental impact but also proactive about finding solutions.
Thank you, Sustainability Council, for bringing the community together by organizing a virtual edition of Green Week!
UWCAD Sustainability Council 2019/20:
Adelaide Lecomte – Belgium
Clarence Lee – Hong Kong
Daniel Trlifaj – Czec Republic
Eve Ramseyer – France
Emilia Filt – Slovacchia
Federico Maccagno – Italy
Hannah Gardner – U.K.
Judith Smaal – The Netherlands
Letizia Nada – Italy
Micky Jordaan – The Netherlands
Nemea Gunter – Switzerland
Nina Muller – Germany
Nina Serrano – Mexico
Ronja Tuovinen – Finland
Sebastian Nieves – Spain
Trisha Gopal – India
Victoria Bardini – Mexico
