Have you ever thought about climate change, species extinction or any other major environmental issue and felt overwhelmed? Do you feel like on an individual level, there is very little you can do to initiative change and make a difference? 

 

That’s how I felt during my first semester at university and during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The world is very messed up. The environmental degradation that is happening on such a global scale is terrifying. It can be hard to know where to start especially because of the many systematic flaws in our society that prioritise profit over the planet.  

 

You can feel hopeless and confused. That’s okay. But the truth is, even on an individual level, there is something everyone can do. Whether that’s volunteering for amazing sustainable projects or pursuing personal lifestyle changes. Everything makes a difference. In St-Andrews in particular I kept hearing this over and over again “I want to do something to help reduce my environmental impact, but I don’t know what to do” or “ I don’t know anything about the environmental projects and initiatives happening in St-Andrews. I can never find any information”. There was a pattern clearly. There were so many projects happening in the community that many students weren’t aware of. I wanted 2030 to be the bridge between the university bubble and the St-Andrews community. It is more important now than ever that we all work together to lower our environmental impact. This inspired me to start and create 2030.  After speaking with several of my friends who felt the same way about environmental change, the 2030 team was born. 

 

Without Erin, Morgan, Nadja, Zoe and Anya, 2030 would only be an idea, instead of a reality. I can’t thank them enough for giving their time, effort, energy and creativity to this project. It means the world to me. I am very proud of what we have created together. 

 

Just as we were inspired to do something with relatively no experience, few resources and only our laptops, I want other people to continue taking action today with their own project ideas. Our story shouldn’t be unique, and should encourage others to take on the impossible. 

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The next decade is a critical period of time for us as a species. This is the decade we need to act. This is the decade we decide whether we are willing to do what it takes to survive the current sixth mass extinction event. If we don’t, there is a high chance that we face a future without humans. That’s why we chose the name 2030 as a symbol to highlight the urgency of the situation. Ultimately the biggest issue our species has ever faced and will face is climate change. It all ends and begins with climate change. Climate change affects every part of our society from agriculture to production to health to economy. We face a future of uncertainty if we continue our current overconsumption and high carbon footprint lifestyles. We are all connected in a delicate intricate system where if one aspect fails, then the whole system collapses. The coronavirus pandemic is just the beginning.

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So let’s do something about climate change this decade. Before 2030. Before we have to experience multiple pandemics, every type of natural disaster, mass human displacement, ecosystem failure and famine. As Greta so eloquently has said "I want you to panic.....act as if the house was on fire". 

 

So are you willing to do what it takes? The answer to that should be an obvious yes. Join us. Support some of the incredible environmental work happening in St-Andrews by volunteering with us. 

Even if you don’t care about the planet, remember that Climate Change isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a humanitarian crisis. 

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Happy volunteering,

Anika 

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