Students want an ‘eco-friendly’ society
By Basira Ajmal and Verona Parker
Climate change has become an increasingly urgent concern for the younger generation with a recent walk-out in schools across the UK to raise awareness of climate change issues attracting over 10,000 estimated participants.
We asked students at the University of Portsmouth for their opinions on the effects of climate change and what we as citizens can do to minimise the damage done to our planet.
Anya, 19, from Havant, is concerned that “the ice caps melting is affecting other countries and animals in particular”.
Conserving the Arctic ice cap has long been a priority for environmental charity Greenpeace. A recent concern has been oil companies drilling in the Arctic Ocean, with Greenpeace warning that “an oil spill in the Arctic would be a catastrophe”.
Karina, 19, from Drayton, points the finger at businesses. She said: “Large corporations are affecting us. Air quality and pollution; it’s affecting our health and the next generation’s as well.”
Air pollution across multiple UK cities is above EU limits, with London affected particularly badly. Measures are in place to reduce pollution levels in London, but EU targets are not expected to be met by the city until 2025.
Rhian, 18, from Waterlooville, was critical of Donald Trump’s recent comments on climate change. She said: “Some people don’t think it’s real, like the President of America. He is in a position where if he thought there was a problem, he could do a lot to change it but obviously, he won’t.”
Trump was recently criticised for conflating global warming with the weather, but indifference towards climate change can be seen in politicians closer to home. A recent climate change debate at the House of Commons only attracted a “handful” of MPs.
Anya suggested that people “use public transport and walk or cycle” to reduce greenhouse gases; Karina agreed but added that we could “reduce our meat consumption to improve our carbon footprint”.
Rhian suggested the university should do more to educate students on how to create an “eco-friendly society”. She said: “Maybe the university should talk about it more. I haven’t really heard of anything they’re doing about climate change. Nobody has spoken to me about it at all since I’ve been here.”
