Sustainability at DCU - yellow header
Sustainability at DCU

Make real change

While it’s really important that each of us acts to live sustainably and use fewer resources as individual, it’s critical that we collaborate and focus our efforts on achieving real change. 

The radical solutions needed to fight climate change and reduce emissions can only come from wide-scale systemic change. 

Whether it’s by raising awareness on campus, calling for change on a national level or participating in global campaigns, we can each help to turn the tide. We must act now, before it’s too late.

 

What we can all do now - 

 

* Be an educated citizen

There are lots of online resources that are open and available to ensure you are aware of the existential challenge we face - this is an evolving challenge and so regular updating of your information is necessary.  Remember that you must use your critical analysis skills to distill breath of information that is out there.

Some suggestions :  

 1.  Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Energy Academy 

Sign up here Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Energy Academy and see the range of training available.

 

2. Climate Change: From Learning to Action

Provider: United Nations Institute for Training and Research

Location: Web-based

Duration: 2 days

Cost: Free

Content: The course at a glance:

Module 1: What is climate change and how does it affect us?

Module 2: How to adapt to climate change?

Module 3: How to mitigate climate change?

Module 4: How to plan and finance action on climate change?

Module 5: How do climate change negotiations work?

Module 6: How to tackle climate change in practice?

Each module takes two hours to complete and features videos, lessons and exercises that give you an overview of a different aspect of climate change!

Link: https://event.unitar.org/full-catalog/climate-change-learning-action-0

 

3. Sustainability Foundations: Core Concepts

Provider: Linked In Learning

Location: Web-based

Duration: 53 mins

Cost: Free

Content: Solving the environmental crisis we're in is a critically important topic for everyone to consider in life and at work, from individual contributors to the c-suite. We hear about the climate and biodiversity crisis, and the need to transform business, but the frameworks and jargon can be confusing. What does net zero actually mean? What are the world’s sustainable development goals (SDGs)? What are carbon emissions and how can we reduce them?

Understanding the three interdependent dimensions of sustainability—specifically the environment, society, and the economy—are where we need to start. In this course, learn how all three of these are essential and how they are interconnected. Join instructor Amy Luers to gain a clearer understanding of some of the concepts and terms everyone needs to understand to make sustainability part of their work and life and help drive the profound transformation that the world so urgently needs.

Introduction

  1. What is Sustainability 
  • Definition of sustainability
  • The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Sustainability is a global and local issue
  • Quiz
  1. Three paradigms at the root of the world’s unsustainable path
  • Circular model of production and consumption 
  • Move to dynamic thinking
  • Systems approach 
  • Unpacking the system approach
  • Quiz
  1. Environmental Sustainability
  • Net Zero
  • Nature positive 
  • Environmental resilience
  • Quiz
  1. Sustainability Accounting and Reporting
  • Carbon and environmental accounting
  • Climate Rick
  • Quiz
  1. Need for Transformation
  • Three transformations for a sustainable world
  • Quiz

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/sustainability-foundations-core-concepts?u=2372722

 

 

* Be a responsible citizen

Be informed about the polycrisis we face and vote wisely at election time, but also stay in touch with your public representatives between elections. 

Contact them regularly to voice your specific concerns about sustainability, climate change and biodiversity loss - hold them accountable for enacting legislation/regulations and policies and practices to allow for a future liveable planet.   

 

* Lead the way at DCU

Make sure you have read our plans and reports  and hold our leadership and on campus community responsible for implementing the measures laid out in them.

Join the DCU Sustainable Living Society so you can take action with other students, while also getting to participate in trips, workshops and swap shops.

 

* Participate in climate and sustainability campaigns

Together, we’re stronger. There are numerous local, national and international campaigns in which you can take part to fight climate change and build a more sustainable world. 

 

 

Things you can do at anytime to make real individual level change happen

(If you have other suggestion to add here please email sustainability@dcu.ie)

 

Get ready for Second Hand September! 

Oxfam is running a Second Hans September campaign where you can give clothes etc a second life - check out here for more details 

Think Smarter Travel as you return to campus

Check out all the supports to help you make the smarter travel choice !

Reusable

Make sure you get your refillable water bottle and reusable cup.  You can pick up DCU branded ones here or in the campus stores.