Sustainability Week begins this Monday with a programme that includes fairs, debates, and training

The 4th Edition of Sustainability Week (SdS) begins this Monday with a programme aimed at raising awareness among the community of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (Ciências ULisboa) about issues related to the ecosystem, personal well-being, and life in society. The initiative, which runs for four days and is organised by students, kicks off at 2pm with a Feira de Entidades, showcasing activities as diverse as bicycle repair, scientific illustration, or actions by groups such as Coopérnico, Vita Nativa, or the Living Laboratory for Sustainability. For Tuesday and Wednesday, the event, whose motto is "The Future of Sustainability", includes training sessions, debates, and documentaries, and on Thursday features an Interactive Fair and a Swap Market. During SdS, there will also be a treasure hunt, supported by Ciência Viva and the Jardim Zoológico de Lisboa, as well as the posting of informative signs at recycling points and a panel on waste separation.

“The SdS aims to be a reflection of what society could be on a global scale. It is an initiative that encourages people to reflect and to participate voluntarily. It is hard work, but it is rewarding,” comments Amélia Ávila, a student of the Master’s in Human Biology and Environment and a member of the general coordination of the Organising Committee of the 4th Edition of the SdS.

The SdS is an initiative organised by more than 20 students from Ciências ULisboa, with the participation of external partners and various well-known entities within the campus. The SdS Organising Committee describes the initiative based on three pillars: the first consisting of the central events; the second referring to fairs that facilitate communication with the community; and the third encompassing awareness-raising actions that make use of scientific illustration competitions, the paddy paper, or the posting of signs and information panels on the Ciências ULisboa premises.

“Change has to start within communities. And there are cases where sustainability can refer to issues of equality between people, communities or countries. If a person does not have quality of life, eventually, they will be less inclined to care about sustainability, or the future of humanity and the planet,” argues Catarina Sil, a student of the Master's in Conservation Biology and a member of the general coordination of SdS.

Within the organisation of the SdS, no one hides the intention of setting the agenda and raising awareness among those who have to make decisions. And for this reason, the four-day programme includes the participation of entities that aim to set an example regarding sustainability, such as Academia Ponto Verde, Grupo Lobo, Thirst Project, Oficina das Energias, Associação Vita Nativa, All Protein Project, Núcleo de Ilustração Científica, CiclOficina, and Let’s Swap, which organises the Swap Market, allowing the exchange, on Friday, of plants, books, clothes, and many other objects that can regain their usefulness by changing owners. The Entity Fair, the Interactive Fair, and the Swap Market make up the so-called Sustainability Fair, which takes place during the SdS.

“As long as these topics are not economically appealing to industry and as long as governments do not introduce them into the political agenda, we will not see changes regarding sustainability. That is why it is important to give visibility to people and entities working in this area,” emphasises Joana Rosado, a Chemistry undergraduate and member of the SdS general coordination team. The appeal is made.