Who fancies writing to David Willetts?

No, this time, I'm not asking for you to write to him about the core and marginal issues* of HE funding… but about the green economy. Something which our sector does at times lead the way on, but can be doing so much more, with a little help from the powers that be.

This week NUS is supporting People and Planet’s Go Green Week. People and Planet is a national network of student campaigners working to end poverty, protect human rights and protect the environment. Go Green Week is a national week of action on climate change that happens every February.

Lots of students' unions currently do, and are planning, lots of great activity such as Northumbria with their greener halls reps; and Newman University College, who are having an on-campus farm shop and recycling books and giving the proceeds to charity. There will also be 'Can' film festivals up and down the country, where students trade in an old can in return for a free trip to the pictures!

Nationally, we are campaigning for universities and colleges to lower their emission rates as many are missing their carbon reduction targets; they have in fact risen by 4% in the last 5 years. Carbon reduction can be achieved but only with further support and resources from the Government. During this week we will be supporting People and Planet’s demands which have been put to Universities Minister David Willetts:

• An increase in investment in carbon reduction and in renewable energy across the sector
• Education leavers adequately prepared for the green economy
• A new commission on sustainability in education with key stakeholders and development proposals

We believe that our education institutions must lead the way to a low carbon economy.

For more information on the e-action see here and email David Willetts on these demands here.

For those of you who haven't had the absolute pleasure** yet of e-meeting me, I'll be live on facebook tomorrow at 12.30 with our Green Impact manager Jo Kemp to answer your questions on all things green!

* Thanks to Joe Oliver, NEC, for that quick wit at NEC last week

**This is intended to be light-hearted bants, but I still think you'll enjoy the facebook chat.