Students ‘pedal for the planet’ in eco-awareness spin
Awareness event follows University's relaunched Sustainability Project
University of Bradford students put a fresh spin on raising awareness of environmental issues by taking part in a ‘pedal for the planet’ event.
Three cycle machines were placed in the University’s Atrium in the Richmond Building, with students taking turns to pump the pedals - the goal was to reach the symbolic distance of 200 miles - the distance from Bradford to Glasgow.
Last week the University launched its new Sustainability Project, signing up to the UN’s 17 sustainability goals, while this week staff and students will travel to COP26 in Glasgow.
Student Shannon Carter, who is studying a Master’s in project management, was one who took part in the spin session. She said: “We need recognition on green issues, it’s important to raise awareness of issues like alternative transportation. It’s about lessening the carbon footprint to benefit the environment.”
Big difference
PhD student Krishna Singh, who also took part, said: “This is about increasing awareness of sustainability. Most of the time people don’t realise the consequences of their basic lifestyle, so this is showing that a small change can make a big difference.”
Prof of Public Policy & Sustainability Prathivadi Anand, said: “People think environmental issues are far away but in reality they are very close, and this event is symbolically linking us at a local level to the wider issues, because every little bit helps. It’s not just about governments changing policy, we can all do little things to help.”
The cycle machines were used to charge a battery which then powered a stereo system, which played songs through the session, from 11am-3pm on Wednesday November 3.