This week is 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. Student networks hold climate change themed activities, fundraising events and campaign for their institutions to lower their emission rates.

People and Planet are campaigning for universities to lower their emission rates as many are missing their carbon reduction targets. In fact the sector’s emissions have risen 4% in the last 5 years. Carbon reduction can be achieved but only with further support and resources from the Government. Therefore Universities Minister David Willetts must be urged to act. During this week we will be supporting People and Planet’s campaign as hundreds of students demand:

• an increase in investment in carbon reduction and in renewable energy across the sector
• graduates adequately prepared for the green economy
• a new commission on sustainability in higher education with key stakeholders and development proposals

How can student unions and students get involved? People and Planet have drafted a letter which students can use to insist David Willetts adheres to sustainable higher education and show their support for the campaign. We are urging all students unions to sign up to the letter and to contact the vice-chancellors of their institutions and encourage them to sign up too, creating a sector wide commitment to climate change and sustainability.

The sign up letter is available by following this link

http://peopleandplanet.org/gogreenweek/take-action/email-willetts