A year ago, a new world opened to me when I started with the master Industrial Ecology at Leiden University and TU Delft. I was already interested in the topic of sustainability in the past, but only here I learned how complex the systems that make our world. To my luck, around the same time I started working in the student board of Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability. Through both of these outlets, I am learning both the theoretical scientific knowledge at my university but also hands on practical experience when organizing events about sustainability with the student board.

Even though I try to live consciously, I am aware of (at least some of) the trade-offs related to more sustainable lifestyle and how our choices are often limited to the options that our systems offer. Or at least we perceive so, and that is also what I would like to share with people who are interested more sustainable ways of living. The issues of climate change are not black or white, there are lot of intricacies that play its role, but we do have the knowledge and can make imaginable steps to decrease our impact as individuals. I want people to know that any discipline they study can be used to make the world more sustainable. Whether you are a communication student, biologist, architect, artist, business student, computer scientist or a social study student.

My favourite topic is waste and in general product design, business models and circular economy. I feel like waste is the most tangible issue we are faced with. The imperfection with which we handle our waste, which is often times the result of our consumerism, keeps amazing me. Though, again and again I am finding out many solutions already exist, and they are depending on our will to apply them as individuals and a society. As I am more human- and business-oriented than a technical person, I see how much needs to be done in the social sphere to allow for a timely and successful transition, and I want to be part of that. From my studies, I gained insights into the different aspects and realized that I like to contribute with action. I love to work with people, while connecting them to organizations and specialists through events like clean-ups, lectures, challenges, or panel discussions. I believe the more informed people there are, the more people there will be willing to change our socio-technical system gradually.

I think a good way for students to start living more sustainably is to find a topic that interests them and inform themselves, whether it is food, clothing, transportation or generally their own consumption patterns. An informed person can make more educated choices and can also educate others, which is my other piece of advice – get involved with people because that’s where your efforts multiply. On a final note, it is also important to mention that there is only as much that an individual or group of people can do, and certain action has to be taken top-down. Though, we as individual can influence that by for instance voting for the parties that do care about our environment and communities. In long-term, it is our generations task to replace the old structures with better systems and solutions, therefore pursuing your degree and putting into good use is already a good vision to have.

In regard to LUGO, I heard of their activities first from its presence at the university, and later from a friend who works for LUGO. I am glad that there is an organization advising its university on their green agenda, while also involving students. Together with my colleagues from the LDE CFS student board, we also collaborated with LUGO on an event, which is always a good to synergize the efforts of like-minded organizations.