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Join us for a week of events to enable and empower us as a community to take climate action!

In February 2021, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ published our Climate and Ecological Crisis Action Plan (CECAP), which outlines the ways we’re hoping to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030/31. Community action is a key part of achieving this target, so for the third year we’re celebrating in March with our Climate Action Week. Running from 13 – 19 March, this will be an opportunity for students, staff and the broader community to join us in taking action for the benefit of the planet and the people living on it.

This year we're focusing on community action, so as well as BU-specific events, we're sharing events that are happening in the local area with the aim to encourage and foster a sense of community, which in turn can create stronger support and action! The range of events, both online and in-person aim to enable and empower you to take climate action by sharing knowledge, discussion, and top tips to help us all find out more about climate solutions and positive actions we can each take. Many of the events are open to the public, so please feel free to share the information with any friends and family who may be interested.

What events are on?

Environmental change and the wildlife of the New Forest, with Professor Adrian Newton | 2pm – 3:30pm, Tuesday 14 March | Virtual

Professor Adrian Newton is a conservation ecologist based at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, who has been undertaking research on the New Forest for the past 20 years. Join his session as part of the New Forest Awakening Festival to see how environmental change is taking place in the national park right on our doorstep.

Check back soon for details on how to register.

Wellbeing Walk with SportBU | 12:30pm – 1:15pm, Tuesday 14 March | SportBU

Join SportBU for a lunchtime walk connecting to nature and each other. Meet fellow students and staff to enjoy a stroll through our neighbouring Talbot Woods and Slades Farm. Spending time in nature has been shown to support our mental health but also helps us to connect with the environment and, therefore, become more aware of our environmental impact.

No need to register.

Climate Assembly: Sustainable Food & Waste | 2pm – 3:30pm, Tuesday 14 March | P403

Want to help shape our environmental action at BU? Then our Climate Assembly is for you!

The Climate Assembly is a space for everyone to hear what we’re doing on a specific sustainability topic and then feed into our plans. They aim to hold us to account and to ensure our approach is inclusive and shaped by our community.

During this Assembly, we will be focusing on our catering and food services. This will cover two main areas: firstly, the actual food we sell, as well as the waste that is produced from this. The Assembly will be attended by representatives from Chartwells, who run our BU catering outlets, and SUBU, who run the SUBU Shop and other outlets.

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Graduate Skills Masterclass: Pitching and Presenting a Business Idea with Natwest and Dorset Growth Hub | 2pm – 4pm, Wednesday 15 March | Fusion Building

This session is a pre-requisite event for any student taking part in the BU Eco-Entrepreneurs Challenge but is also open to any students who would like advice on how to pitch and present generally and will have a focus on pitching business ideas to stakeholders.

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Act Together: How We Tackle the Climate Crisis | 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Thursday 16 March | Hosted by Community Climate Talks | Friends Meeting House, Southampton

You're invited to a community talk about the climate crisis and what we can do about it. Bors Hulesch, a climate scientist, sociologist, and dad-of-three from Eastleigh, will lead the discussion at the Friends Meeting House in Ordnance Road, Southampton, at 6.30pm on Thursday March 16th.

The scientist, who writes and edits climate talks for Extinction Rebellion, warned urgent action is needed, as the planet is on a current trajectory to reach 3-4ºC of warming by the end of the Century.

Women's social cycle ride | 6pm, Thursday 16 March | Hosted by Cycle Like A Girl | meet at Bournemouth Pier

This weekly ride is designed to be socially-paced, meaning that we won't leave you behind or expect anyone to be coming top of the Strava leaderboards. This ride is perfect for any beginners to groups rides, with a mostly flat route and plenty of rest breaks and stops. Our evening routes are typically around 15km, on a mix of quiet and traffic-free roads meaning that it will be suitable for most bike types. 

Although we are on hand to support our riders, it is important to know that you are responsible for your own safety whilst cycling. We strongly encourage all riders to wear helmets, high vis clothing and come with fully charged lights. In the event of a puncture, riders are strongly encouraged to bring a spare set of inner tubes, although we will be more than happy to lend a helping hand! 

If you don’t have a bike, you can enjoy 100 free minutes for Beryl Bikes using the code BUBERYL100.

Spirituality and Wellbeing Fair | 10am – 2pm, Friday 17 March | Student Centre

Join a range of activities and stalls that explore how spirituality, wellbeing, and environmentalism all support and enhance each other. The event will host local organisations and sellers, and be host to workshops and activities to discover, play with and experience. This event is hosted by the BU/AUB Pagan & Witchcraft Society and is open to everyone, from any faith or none.

No sign up is required. .

GreenFest | 12pm - 11pm, Saturday 18 March | Hosted by XR BCP | Poole Hill Brewery

Join in for an amazing day of live music, poetry performances, inspiring speeches, environmental documentary film screenings and craft activities. All day, from 12noon until 11pm, we have planned an event absolutely packed with entertainment with something for everyone!

Bournemouth Vegan Market | 10:30am - 4pm, Saturday 18 March | Hosted by Vegan Market Co | Bournemouth Triangle

Eating a vegan diet has been suggested as the biggest impact action we can take to reduce our environmental impact. Whether you're fully vegan or just want to try some vegan food out, come along for an incredible selection of vegan street food vendors, artisan bakers, craft brewers, ethical jewellers, small-batch soapers, local artists, zero-waste champions + loads more.