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Sustainability Week 2019

From:Mo 07-10-2019
Until:Fr 11-10-2019
Where:Groningen (several locations)

October 10th is Sustainability Day. The Green Office does not only pay attention to this day, but also organizes fun and interesting activities throughout the week, from 7 to 11 October!

Themes such as plastic, fast fashion, travel and health are discussed. On this page you will find our entire programme and you can register for the various activities.


Studium Generale and the Green Office present

Flygskam: to fly or not to fly?

A 10-day yoga retreat on Bali, a business trip to California, a weekend all-inclusive in Istanbul; we take it for granted. Travelling gives us the opportunity to explore the world and gain new insights. And many areas thrive economically due to tourism. However, what is the impact of our wanderlust? Nowadays we travel by plane, like hopping on and off a city bus. It is the fastest and often the cheapest way to travel, but it is also the least sustainable way. Public awareness on this topic is growing - #flygskam is a hot topic and people are working hard on cutting greenhouse gas emissions – nevertheless the number of flights is still rising.

Can we change this trend and reduce or even stop flying to help save the environment? What are the alternatives? Environmental psychologist Ellen van der Werff, ethicist Nick Nieuwenhuijsen and spatial scientist Arie Stoffelen will share and discuss their perspectives on flying.

This event is organized by Studium Generale, in collaboration with the Green Office. More information can be found on the website of Studium Generale.


Lunch Walks

During Sustainability Week, the Green Office is organizing different Lunch Walks. So get up from your desk and enjoy the following walks:

Noorderplantsoen Walk (full)

During this hour-long walk, Peter Kruijt wil tell you all about the ecology of the Noorderplantsoen. Bring your own lunch and join us. Starting time: 12.00. Meeting point: Café Lambik (south side of the park).

Zernike Campus Walk (fulll)

Walking through the Zernike campus, Nathan Brinkman will tell you about the ecology of Zernike. But there will also be time for the history of the area. So bring your lunch and join us. Starting time: 12.00. Meeting point: Portiersloge, Zernikelaan 1.

Culinary Walk (full)

This walk will take you to three sustainable foodspots in the inner city. At each spot there will be something to drink or eat. You do not have to bring a lunch to this walk. The foodspots are: De Soepwinkel, Lust en Rå. Starting time: 11.55. Meeting point: de Soepwinkel, Oude Kijk in ’t Jatstraat 12. (this walk could take a bit longer than 1 hour).

Want to join? Be quick to sing up, there is only limited space available.


DIY Workshop: home products

Would you like to learn how to make deodorant, dish soap, lip balm, dry shampoo and conditioner from natural ingredients? Then join our Do It Yourself workshop on Wednesday, October 9 at the Green Office (Visserstraat 49). During this workshop we will explain how you can use simple and natural ingredients to make products that are better for you and the environment.

This workshop is unfortunately already full!


Tegenlicht Meet-Up: plastic Waste (full)

Plastic is everywhere, in the air we breathe, in the oceans, and in the food we eat. Did you know, for example, that microplastics can be found in honey? Dive into the world of plastics with us on October 9.

We will show excerpts from various episodes of Tegenlicht with a focus on plastic pollution and how people are attempting to tackle this issue. Marine biologist Karin de Boer will be present to tell you more about her views on the impact of plastic on sea life. A speaker from the Municipality of Groningen can answer your questions about what they are doing to counter waste locally, and how you can get involved!

This event has reached its maximum capacity.


Pint of Science: A vaccine against climate apathy (sold out)

Can the problem of Climate Change be perceived in a more positive way? Two scientists and a comedian will try to convince you that YES, we can still turn the tide, and YES, individual contributions do matter! Ethicist Frank Hindriks, psychologist Anne Marthe van der Bles and comedian Annabella Meijer will tell us how.

This event is organized in cooperation with the Young Academy Groningen and Pint of Science. You can sign up and find more information on the programme and the speakers on the website of Pint of Science!

Please note, this event starts at 20:00 in stead of 19:00! Doors open at 19:30.


Clothing Swap

On Friday the 11th of October our Clothing Swap event will take place at the USVA! During this event you can hand in your old items and swap them for new ones, as easy as it sounds. The preceding week you can hand in a maximum of 15 good/moderate quality items and in return you will get a coin per item to exchange for the same amount of items. The event starts at 15:00 and ends at 18:00. Studio Draadkracht will be present to adjust any of your new finds for free.

We will check your old items in advance regarding quality. Shoes and accessories are excluded from the clothing swap. You can hand in your clothes from 14:00 to 17:00 in the Harmony building (Monday 30 September and Friday 4 October), the University Library (Tuesday 1 and Thursday 3 October) and the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences (Wednesday 2 October).

'Fast fashion isn't free. Someone, somewhere is paying' - Lucy Siegle (Journalist ,The Guardian)


Nice to know: 7 to 11 October is not only Sustainability Week at the University of Groningen, but also (mental) Health Week! Check the full programme on their page.

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