Individual Action

Cost of Living

Reduce your energy bills by: 

• Sticking to 4 minute showers. You could save up to £120 a year by reducing the time you spend in the shower as well as saving water. Need something to help you keep to time? Here's a playlist of 4 minute long songs from WaterAid.
• Dropping your thermostat by 1 degree. If you live in a house share or private accommodation (i.e. not halls) dropping the thermostat by just 1 degree could save you up to £90 a year.
• Using an airfryer or microwave if cooking alone. If you're cooking small portions, it's best to use an airfyer or a microwave as they cost less to run and save more energy than a traditional oven or hob.

Employability

• Sustainability skills are attractive to employers: applicants with sustainability skills are hired at a rate 55% higher than the rest of the market, and many companies have sustainability at the heart of their business strategies.
• Excellent problem solver and communicator? Great! Sustainability job roles typically involve collaborating with lots of stakeholders, managing a variety of projects and their budgets, communicating and influencing people to make positive change and creatively solving problems on a daily basis.
• Some great job boards to start you off on your sustainability career journey are: Environment Job, Charity Job and ISEP Green Careers Hub.

Faith

• Faith encourages us to think beyond ourselves. Whether through religion, spirituality or simply having a sense of purpose, faith can help us pause, reflect and reconnect with the world around us. The University's chaplains might be a good place to start if you'd like to talk more about faith.
• Sustainability and faith have shared values. We want to protect the world we've been given, stand up for future generations - especially those who are most vulnerable - and live with intention and compassion.
• How do I connect faith and sustainability? Join a space for reflection, take part in inter-faith conversations about climate justice, or volunteer on climate and social justice projects that align with your values.

Fashion

• Choose quality over quantity: choose a few timeless pieces made from high quality materials, instead of a large amount of cheap, low quality fast fashion products
• Buy second-hand clothing: look out for pre-loved clothing in charity shops. They’re often cheaper and better than you think!
• Clothes Swap: Whether you want to volunteer behind the scenes or just come along and swap some clothes, join us at the Clothes Swap and help give fashion a second life. It’s a fun, free way to refresh your wardrobe without costing the planet

Food

• Choosing Fairtrade products supports better pay, safer working conditions, and stronger communities for farmers and workers across the globe. Our campus is accredited as a Fairtrade University.
• Choose plant-based meals over meat-based ones—not only better for the environment with less carbon emissions, but also healthier!
• Reduce food waste: only buy and cook the amount of food you need. Always check your fridge and cupboard before shopping.

Nature

• Spending time outdoors, whether that's walking, gardening, or exploring, fosters a personal connection to the environment and inspires everyday choices that support sustainability.
• Volunteering in green spaces helps restore habitats, strengthens community ties, and deepens your understanding of local ecosystems, making sustainability a shared and rewarding experience. Join our Edible Garden sessions every Wednesday, 12pm - 2pm at Avery Hill. Email us to join the Teams Group.
• Participating in biodiversity monitoring empowers you to contribute to scientific knowledge, protect vulnerable species, and become an active steward of the natural world through simple, meaningful actions. Email us to join our sessions (usually monthly on Tuesdays).

Wellbeing

• Spending time in nature supports your mental health and wellbeing. Get involved in our volunteering projects to help build connections at University, reduce stress and improve your wellbeing.
• Reducing waste and simplifying consumption helps declutter your life, ease financial pressure, and create space for more meaningful experiences and relationships, as well as supporting our planet by making these sustainable choices.
• Supporting community-based sustainability efforts builds social bonds, boosts self-esteem, and reinforces a shared commitment to healthier, happier living environments. Check out Good Gym for excellent volunteering programmes that help foster a sense of community across the country, as well as supporting physical and mental wellbeing.