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Can you make a Green Impact?
Frustrated seeing lights left on? Want to improve recycling rates in your department? You can! The University is expanding and improving its eco champion programme. In the new 'Green Impact' accreditation scheme teams of staff and students are rewarded points for taking practical action to green their workplaces. The scheme recognises and rewards good practice and empowers staff to implement new and simple environmental office procedures. Green Impact also enables departments to benchmark their existing achievements and work to improve them year on year.
So get involved and help the university to reduce its environmental impact by joining a Green Impact team in your area. We are holding 2 introductory workshops so come along to find out more and start to build your team! See events column for more details.
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Join us on our brand new facebook page...
As our old facebook group is being archived, we have had to set a new one up. There we will post general information about what we are doing and forthcoming events. It is also an opportunity for you all to interact with us. Join our 'Sustainability Hub, Kingston University' facebook page now and invite your friends. |
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Student turns waste woodchips in to sustainable fashion
An outfit made from waste woodchips designed by Stefanie Nieuwenhuyse
Stefanie Nieuwenhuyse, an MA fashion student, has spent the past couple of months turning a fellow student's discarded woodchip off-cuts into a range of sophisticated womenswear, which were unveiled during London Fashion Week. Stefanie and her Kingston fashion colleagues were set a challenge by bio-waste firm InCrops Enterprise Hub to show how sustainable materials could be used in fashion. Click here to find out more.
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Mayor of London launches Green Growth Bootcamp
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, taking a ride on the 'Raptor'
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, headed to Kingston University on Thursday 13 October to launch the Green Growth Bootcamp, a series of workshops to help budding business brains who want to specialise in green enterprise. To the delight of bystanders at the launch event, the Mayor took control of 'the Raptor' - a three-wheeled electric vehicle which was being showcased at the University. Click here to read the full story.
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Green cleaning products used at Kingston University
Chemicals commonly found in conventional cleaning products present problems for people that use them and the environment once washed down the drain. At Kingston University, we are proud that we now only use green cleaning products. This makes us happy, because all the products used are: Non-toxic, non-flammable, phosphate free, reducing impact on aquatic life, made from sustainable resources, biodegradable and not tested on animals.
As well as all these wonderful things, the cleaning products are easy and safe to use, making our staff safer and happier, whilst being kinder to the environment. Kingston University is setting a great example to other educational institutions on sustainability in cleaning. |
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Spain Internships - 2nd Round
We are currently awaiting details of another series of Internships in Spain similar to the ones we advertised earlier this year. Again, these are open to UK graduates, last 13 weeks and will be based in Andalucia, Spain. The deadline for application will be 11th November (very soon!) so please register your interest with us asap to get all the details as we hear about them. |
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Blue Award 2012 - Sustainable Architecture
The Blue Award is an International Student Competition for Sustainable Architecture. All categories of the Blue Award emphasize the efforts in sustainable architecture, particularly in hot and dry climates. Projects located in crisis areas and in areas environmentally threatened will be given special consideration. The three categories are:
- Urban Development and Transformation, Landscape Development
- Ecological Building
- Building in Existing Structures
Submission deadline is 1st February 2012. Click here to find out more. |
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Student harnesses power of Facebook for green research
The iGreen cycle city game
A PhD student at Kingston University is using Facebook to identify whether people are serious about sustainability, or just playing at being green.
Kavita Patel has designed a games application called iGreen which can be downloaded from the social networking site. The game is part of her research into how to encourage more eco-friendly behaviour. She is particularly interested in investigating whether those who play iGreen will be persuaded to act in a more sustainable way.
Click here to read the full story.
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And the winner is...
Sarhan holds his London Zoo tickets
Congratulations to Sarhan, who won the Fresher’s prize draw of 2 x London Zoo tickets by signing up to the biodiversity volunteer mailing list. Sarhan is studying Sustainable Concrete Structures. We hope you have a great time at the zoo Sarhan!
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Reward Scheme for greener journeys
Students cycling
People will be rewarded with offers and discounts for journeys they make in London by foot or by bike under a new incentive scheme. Recyclebank and Transport for London's (TfL) programme aims to get more people walking and cycling in the capital to help reduce pollution, ease congestion and boost fitness among Londoners. Click here to find out more. |
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Cycle lessons, instructor training and family fun at Kingston (restricted to staff)
Three opportunities are available for bicycle-keen staff at Kingston this semester:
Become a cycling instructor: An accredited course provides staff the ability to teach on-road cycling to any individual or small group at a national standard, in seven flexible two-hour sessions. Click here to find out more.
Adult cyclist training (£5): Those wanting to improve their cycling proficiency can do so in one-to-one sessions in Kingston. With a week’s notice instructors travel to anywhere in the Borough to run a lesson. Click here to find out more.
Sunday family bike rides: On 30th October, a two-hour family bike ride and fun day will take place. Click here to find out more.
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Volunteering Opportunities
From the Ground Up's organic fruit and veg boxes
There are still opportunities to volunteer for 'From the Ground Up' (FGU), a not for profit organic veg and fruit box scheme that sells affordable fresh organic food to the Royal Borough of Kingston: a Video producing role and a Marketing role. Open the links to view the role descriptions and contact FGU directly if you are interested.
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Can we teach happiness?
1st November 2011
Very last event of the Think In Kingston festival of ideas on the theme of happiness. A panel, including pioneering teacher Kevin Hogston, discusses whether young people can be educated to be happy, whether school is the best place for that, and the implications for teachers and parents. Visit the website for more information.
Location: Kingston University, Penrhyn Road campus, John Galsworthy Building, room 0001
Time: 7-8:30pm
Price: FREE
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Woodland Management
2nd November 2011
Contact Lynsey for more information.
Location: TBC
Time: TBC
Price: FREE
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Stitch in time
2nd November 2011
Bring along a make-do-and-mend project (or any other sewing problem) to our sociable sewing session for advice and help. All welcome, whether you want to pass on a skill or pick up tips.
Location: Kingston Environment Centre, Fairfield East, KT1 2PT
Time: 7-9pm
Price: FREE (donation appreciated)
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Green Impact Launch
4th November 2011
An introductory workshop to find out more about the Green Impact scheme (the expanded and improved eco champion programme) and start building your team! Lunch will be provided but please RSVP to Elise.
Location: Penrhyn Road, JG 5004
Time: 12-2pm
Price: FREE
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Green Impact Launch
9th November 2011
An introductory workshop to find out more about the Green Impact scheme (the expanded and improved eco champion programme) and start building your team! Lunch will be provided but please RSVP to Elise.
Location: Kingston Hill, mid level 354
Time: 12-2pm
Price: FREE
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Thames Landscape Strategy Workshop
9th November 2011
A session exploring potential collaborative projects with Thames Landscape Stategy. Work could embrace a range of river management areas, GIS monitoring but also film, social history, planning, literature, transport, trade and art about the Thames. Please RSVP to the Sustainability Hub (for room booking and catering purposes).
Location: TBC
Time: 1pm onwards
Price: FREE
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Small Mammal survey
9th November 2011
Contact Lynsey for more information.
Location: TBC
Time: TBC
Price: FREE
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Coffees and teas morning for TTK
12th November 2011
TTK's occasional Saturday outing to serve teas, coffees, biscuits and cake (made by us) to weary shoppers in Kingston, and at the same time do a bit of TTK awareness and fund-raising. Help/cakes welcome or just pop in to have a chat and a coffee.
Location: All Saints Church, Market Place, Kingston
Time: 10am-1pm
Price: Donations towards refreshments
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Shared Planet 2011: Global Student Action Festival
12-13th November 2011
The UK’s largest student conference on world poverty, human rights and the environment. It’s one weekend packed full of inspiring speakers, practical and informative workshops, debates, films, stalls and fun. Find out more and book your place through the people & planet website.
Location: Oxford, Town Hall
Time: all weekend
Price: Find out on their website
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Small Mammal survey
16th November 2011
Contact Lynsey for more information.
Location: TBC
Time: TBC
Price: FREE
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Sustainable Water Management in South Africa
22nd November 2011
A seminar by Jo Millar on her Masters by Research project. Contact Kat Eames for more details.
Location: TBC
Time: TBC
Price: FREE
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CEESR Annual Lecture
23rd November 2011
Prof. Klaus Dodd from Royal Holloway will be presenting on 'Arctic Scrambles? The Contemporary Geopolitics of the Arctic'
Location: Penrhyn Road, John Galsworthy Building, room 1008
Time: 1-2pm
Price: FREE
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