Sustainability is more than just a concept—it's a way of life at the University of Limerick. Guided by UL's sustainability expert, J.J. Leahy, students from the Global Leadership for Sustainable Development (GLSD) programme embarked on an immersive tour of the university's green initiatives. These tours provided students with invaluable insights into the complexities of sustainability implementation and the importance of community engagement.
On Tuesday, 26 September 2023, students embarked on a journey through UL's sustainable initiatives, accompanied by J.J. Leahy. The tour offered students a firsthand glimpse into the university's commitment to environmental stewardship, showcasing a diverse range of projects aimed at promoting sustainability on campus.
From the student bike scheme to the bat house, students had the opportunity to explore a variety of sustainability initiatives across campus. J.J. provided expert commentary on the challenges of implementing and maintaining such projects, emphasizing the need for innovation and collaboration in sustainability efforts.
The tour also highlighted UL's efforts to promote biodiversity, with visits to the creeks and aquatic life, apple orchard, river bank walk, beehives, and pollinator field. Students gained a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between biodiversity conservation and sustainability.
The sustainability tour with J.J. Leahy inspired students to become champions of environmental stewardship in their communities. Armed with insights from the tour, students pledged to advocate for sustainability initiatives and drive positive change in their spheres of influence.
The tour underscored the transformative power of experiential learning in shaping sustainable mindsets and behaviours. Through initiatives like these, students are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle sustainability challenges and build a greener future for all.
Global Leadership for Sustainable Development (GLSD) is a seven-week extracurricular programme designed by the UL Centre for Sustainable Futures and Innovation in collaboration with UL Global. This programme brings study abroad, Erasmus, and full degree students from across the world together, to actively learn about systemic approaches and challenges to sustainability across the economy, environment, and society. Students hear from expert guest speakers both on-campus and through site visits, engage in debates and discussions on contemporary sustainability issues, and work in interdisciplinary teams to co-create student-led sustainability projects to be implemented on campus. To find out more, please visit https://www.ul.ie/sustainability/global-leadership-for-sustainable-deve…, or contact the programme coordinator jack.oconnor@ul.ie.