The COP26 was recently held in Glasgow and it resulted in some very important conclusions – “Countries are being asked to come forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reductions targets that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century” (COP26-GOALS). As students from EIT InnoEnergy Master School, we all know how important reaching such goals is and we all wish to learn the necessary skills to contribute in a best way possible. Therefore, the first thought that all of us have is: what can we do, as individuals, to start contributing as early as possible in the fight against climate change?
This was something that always intrigued me. During my two years of master´s I did my best to find out the most effective ways to reduce my carbon footprint and tackle climate change. These are some of my advice so that you can start doing the same.
Learn about it
Start learning about climate change and global warming. There are many ways to do so but, in my experience, the easiest one is to enroll in a relevant course during your 2-year Master’s. For those of you who select KTH Royal Institute of Technology, I would recommend the courses: “Energy and Environment”, to get a global perspective in energy trends, and “Power Generation Environment and Markets”, for a deeper understanding on energy markets. If you decided to study at one of the other top technical universities offered by EIT InnoEnergy Master School, I would suggest looking for courses that provide similar content!
Change your daily habits
Make little changes to some aspects in your daily life and transition to a more sustainable lifestyle. This includes some basic actions you are able to do on your own, such as: turning off lights, unplugging electric equipment when you are not using it, having quicker showers and turning of the water while brushing teeth and last but not least, avoid buying plastic made objects! Of course, the subject is much more complex and there are some interesting debates between what sometimes is best to do but this is exactly where educating yourself is key.
Practice first, preach second
When you know more about climate change and have started to live in a more environment- friendly way, itis time to take action and spread the word so others can follow your example! When I was studying at KTH, I had the opportunity to participate in one of the many climate protests that were happening. This is something you can also easily do! Just speak to your university student association to be on track of such activities. Another excellent initiative is to participate in EIT InnoEnergy CommUnity events which you can keep track on the website! CommUnity is a dedicated EIT InnoEnergy student platform that offers student a chance to attend and organise events, exchange ideas and access exclusive jobs!
Spread your knowledge locally
All of us come from different countries so we all have different governments and policies. However, no matter where we come from, we can all contribute to our countries’ energy policies by making our voices be heard! You can support candidates with clear goals to make changes towards the energy transition and engage as much as you can to ensure that person plays a role in your country’s future!
As you can see, it is possible to start building your contribution towards a better climate right away! Everyone can make a difference, even if it is a small one! And if you are reading this post and have not yet applied to an EIT InnoEnergy Master School programme, take a look at all the options they offer – it is definitely the best way to enlighten yourself on climate change and the transition towards renewable and sustainable energy!
by Martim Perestrelo, EIT InnoEnergy Master School alumni