Your views on climate change
Climate change is a big topic for 2021, so in August we undertook a social media campaign to ask our UofG alumni community’s opinions on climate change and sustainability.
Results reveal that our alumni respondents strongly believe that climate change and sustainability are a priority and are taking steps to be more environmentally friendly.
Respondents told us they would be prepared to pay more for environmentally friendly products and services (89%), but most also believe that governments should give financial incentives to businesses to encourage more sustainable practices.
It’s clear that environmental issues are a concern – deforestation and plastic pollution were the ones that polled highest. Respondents also told us they were worried about water scarcity, food waste and CO2 emissions.
And when it comes to making decisions about sustainable choices then three-quarters of respondents said they listened to scientists and experts, with around one-quarter listing NGOs, charities and activists.
The campaign comprised of three social media posts across four platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter) signposting to an MS Forms questionnaire, and six stories (Instagram, Facebook) polling yes/no questions and requesting brief responses. The campaign lasted from 20 July to 6 August 2021 and a total of 245 alumni responded.
Do you think climate change is an emergency?
Yes 92%
No 8%
Do you think individuals can make a difference to climate change?
Yes 87%
No 13%
Would you pay more for environmentally friendly products and services?
Yes 89%
No 11%
We asked our alumni "what changes are you making, or have you made, to live more sustainably?"
"Our family try not to consume too much; at Christmas, we now just exchange a pre-loved book. No wrapping paper, just cloth or recycled paper."
Margaret Pollock (MA 1987)
"Growing rather than buying flowers, gardening organically, reusing water in the garden, having a wildflower garden rather than a lawn, having a wild area in the garden to attract wildlife and planting to attract pollinators."
Margaret Downie (MA 1981)
"Recycle everything we can, reduce our consumption of goods by bartering and swapping for what we need and don't need."
Pamela Leroy (MA 2007)
"Use refill shop for rice, pasta, pulses, cleaning products, spices etc. Vegetarian six days a week. Make my own bread to reduce plastic. Own a hybrid car and I’m planning to buy an electric car. Use sustainable plastic-free beauty products. Buying secondhand or sustainable clothing brands."
Moira Kelly (BSc 1984)
"I couldn’t be prouder of my house in Mexico – we collect rainwater from the roofs and aren’t connected to mains water. We use a dry toilet and our garden benefits from that, too. Large windows mean we get enough natural light to make turning lights on completely unnecessary in the daytime."
Steven Dunmore Rodriguez (MA 2007)
"I am walking more and holidaying closer to home."
David Warren (MA 2002)
"I’ve installed solar panels and have become a sustainability champion at work to help minimise the impact of our operations."
Graham Sutherland (MA 2002)
"Teaching about sustainability in the curriculum as an English teacher."
Annyse Ewing (MA 1986, MPhil 1992)
