Groups come together in Student Union to raise awareness of climate emergency

With the climate crisis potentially being the biggest threat facing the 21st century, spreading awareness and informing people at every given opportunity is a vital first step to making an essential change.

Five guest speakers came to Man Met Student Union on Tuesday evening to a ‘Let’s talk about it’ event to speak to those passionate about climate change.

Two speakers from the Carbon Literacy Project informed the audience of the dangers we face if we continue to live in an unsustainable world.

The organisation encourages individuals who are passionate about the environment to enrol on its carbon literate course.

Chloe Andrews, a carbon literacy trainer, said: “Enhance your employability, and do your bit for the climate. Become carbon literate!”

StitchedUp director Bryony raised awareness from a fast fashion perspective, not only the negative impact it has on the environment but on those who work long hours to create clothes that “people don’t need or want, are poor quality, made at a low cost and with no regard for the environment”.

StitchedUp offers alternative solutions to buying new clothes, through clothes swaps, repair workshops and recycling textiles.

A guest speaker from TVC Manchester told the meeting about the benefits of volunteering in practical conservation work in Greater Manchester, with the ambition to “inspire greener living and environmentally friendly lifestyles”. The organisation is always looking for more volunteers to get involved and help build a more sustainable planet.

A representative from MetMunch, an award-winning, student-led enterprise, spoke about the part it plays with regard to the climate. Grow cafe located at Manchester Metropolitan university is entirely meat free and promotes “healthy and sustainable habits”. From an initial idea about selling solely vegan and vegetarian food, their profits rose by “99% in the first eight weeks of the launch”.