This week’s blog comes from Katie Akerman, a University of Chichester employee and long-time Jump participant. Here, Katie talks about pandemic behaviour change and how we’re all adapting. Chichester were the first University to implement a Jump engagement programme for their staff and students in 2014/5.
The pandemic and the environment
We’ve seen Venice waters running clear, goats roaming around towns in Wales, and improvements in air quality as a result of Covid-19 lockdowns. Consequently, this has highlighted the fact that it’s not too late for us to do things that make a genuine difference. Tiny changes in lifestyle – collectively taken – do make a positive difference. For instance, who hasn’t baked their own cakes, taken up gardening or upcycled something during lockdown?!
Universities and the Environment
As educators, committed to the UNESCO aim on improving access to quality education on sustainable development, we must practice what we preach. Jump is a great way of encouraging people to make tiny changes and educate them about what these could be.
Tiny changes and the Environment
From the pandemic, we have learned that we should shop in our own community to support local producers and independent providers. The pandemic has seen more people get on their bikes – or walk more. Do you really need to get into your car? Why not make a wormery to compost food waste? My pandemic resolution is to have a go at making my own clothes!
Jump at the University of Chichester
I was the first Jump Champion in 2015 – so, Jump has been available to staff and students for five years! In that time, we’ve avoided 11,565kg of CO2 and 25,333kg of waste. The focus of Jump has changed year on year. Recently, it’s been lovely to see a focus on hedgehogs and on the wellbeing of staff working from home.
Find out more about pandemic behaviour change
We’ve seen a shift in focus of our programmes over the last few months as we support home-working and put an increasing focus on wellbeing. There has also been an uptake in biodiversity activities as people explore their local environments! If you’d like to hear more about what we’ve been doing for our clients during lockdown, then book in a 15-minute demo or request one of our case studies.
