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More than 60 expert talks covering all aspects of climate change were held during Weymouth College’s annual Environment Week.
Organised by student liaison officer Peter Vowles, the successful week saw guest speakers from a diverse range of local and national organisations educating students and staff on environmental issues.
Business students at Weymouth College welcomed NatWest director Mairead Taylor to speak on how the bank is helping clients to measure, monitor and act to decarbonise their businesses
Talks were delivered in classes and special events were held in the canteen at lunchtimes, with stands set up by groups including Weymouth Climate Hub and Extinction Rebellion.
Others taking part in the week ranged from Dorset Council and the Green Party, to animal charities Dorset Wildlife Trust, the RSPCA and Animal Aid, to NatWest with director Mairead Taylor speaking on how the bank is helping clients to measure, monitor and act to decarbonise their businesses.
NatWest also sponsored three competitions during the week, for the best environmental poster, suggestion for the College to take forward, and a quiz.
Winners of the poster competition have now been announced with students from the Next Steps into Independent Learning and Steps into Accessing the Community taking joint first prize.
Posters highlighting environmental issues designed by students for a competition sponsored by NatWest
Other winners included Ella Charles, Chloe Hathaway, Aimee Leadley and Charlie Broome.
All the poster competition entries are now on display in the College’s Fleet reception area.
Peter commented: “Thanks to everyone who submitted posters. It’s a wonderful collection of artworks, which made picking one winner impossible.”
A total of 117 students completed the quiz and made suggestions for a greener future at Weymouth College.
The winner of the quiz, chosen at random from correct entries, was Routes Into IT student Tyler Vallard, and the winning suggestion came from IT student Lukas Cole, who said: “Create environment campaigns where you talk about what damage is being done to the environment and how we College students can help.”
Several of the students’ suggestions are already in place, including:
- Solar panels on College buildings
- Water fountains in all buildings
- All new energy efficient lighting
- Bike shelters are covered by cameras and made secure to encourage cycling
- Limiting grass mowing to encourage wild flowers
The annual Environment Week events forms part of Weymouth College’s ‘Code Red’ initiative, raising awareness of all aspects of the environmental crisis and embedding sustainability in the culture of the college.
The initiative was recently recognised by the Association of College’s prestigious Beacon Awards, with Weymouth College commended for The Incenco Award for Education for Sustainable Development for its commitment to sustainability and tackling the climate crisis.
Julia Howe, Principal and CEO, commented: “Being based at the heart of Dorset’s historic coastline, the importance of tackling the climate crisis is highlighted to us here at Weymouth College every day.
“This has become embedded in our decision-making and day-to-day operations at the College, from cutting carbon emissions through sustainable building practices, to improving student and staff understanding through initiatives such as our annual Environment Week, ‘Back to the Rack’ recycled fashion shop and tree-planting schemes.
“We’re delighted that the Association of College’s Beacon Awards has recognised the positive and innovative steps we have taken towards creating a sustainable future for Weymouth College and the wider community.”
Representatives from Weymouth Climate Hub and Extinction Rebellion with ‘Sir David Attenborough’ at Weymouth College’s Environment Week
Weymouth Climate Hub was among the local organisations to take part in Weymouth College’s Environment Week