At lunchtime on 20 September a group of Library staff showed their support for the global climate strike by joining colleagues and students in the Front Quad. The below is a write-up of the events on the day by Catherine Sharp, one of the Main Library Green Champions, who attended the event.

“We heard an inspiring talk from members of the Islington Extinction Rebellion group, who described the risks of still-rising carbon emissions, including droughts, floods, extreme heat, wildfires, crop failure, disease, population displacement and species extinction – with human extinction becoming ever more likely. Climate tipping points could lead to irreversible change even if global temperature can be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, but on current estimates the remaining 1°C carbon budget will be used up very soon (see the CO₂ mitigation graph below).

The Extinction Rebellion representatives described the evolution of the movement, which was formed less than a year ago. They encourage people to participate in its non-violent civil disobedience to the extent that they’re able, and understand that the climate crisis can seem overwhelming. The next big action will begin in London on 7 October. UCU supports the work of Extinction Rebellion, and a UCL Extinction Rebellion group has been formed.”

Library Services staff are at the forefront of making UCL more sustainable, as demonstrated in our strong performance in the Green Impact scheme year after year. I had the pleasure of visiting The Bartlett Library in Central House last week, and witnessed how the team there is supporting recycling and sharing information through a prominent display of resources on sustainability at the entrance of the Library.

The new Sustainable UCL Strategy will be launched on 17 October in the Student Centre. After the launch, there will be lots more information on how you can get involved in playing your part in helping UCL to become one of the most environmentally-friendly universities in the UK and act as a model for other organisations to show that change is possible.