Hundreds of Cambridge freshers looking for information, careers and solutions to tackle climate change found a sustainably warm welcome at the Cambridge Zero stand at this year's Freshers Fair.
"We’ve had a great two days of listening to freshers, their hopes and dreams about a more sustainable and resilient world, but also their anxieties surrounding climate change and crucially their desire to play their own part in creating solutions,” Cambridge Zero Student Engagement Coordinator Beth Simpson said.
“We are excited to work with them across this academic year through our numerous student engagement programmes, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to take action for the future of our planet and its people."
New students - some inspired to study at Cambridge because of its reputation for addressing climate change - took a keen interest in Cambridge Zero's Green Careers festival, signing up for our newsletter and learning more about climate-related talks and activities run by organisations across the University.
“Hopefully through my studies I will learn more about the solutions rather than just the consequences," said first year Geography student Izzy Doherty.
The Jesus College “fresher” said that her youth and the choice to study Geography meant that she thinks about climate change every day.
“Though it can feel hopeless at times with the constant stream of negative news, it's reassuring to know I am in an environment full of people who are equally concerned with, and willing to do something about, climate change,” Doherty said.
James Atkins, who is joining the Department of Land Economy’s Environmental Policy MSci said it was Cambridge’s reputation on climate change research which helped him decide it was the place to do his Masters degree.
“I was inspired by how much work was being done in tackling the climate crisis by Cambridge,” he said. “Even today, there are so many student society stalls related to climate change there’s almost too many to choose from.”
A keen point of discussion with students was the Green Careers festival, an initiative run by Cambridge Zero in partnership with the University of Cambridge Careers Service.
The Green Careers Fair & Festival runs annually in Lent Term and aims to showcase exciting green jobs and to inspire students to embark on a green career.
Last year, representatives from organisations including: BeZero Carbon, the Environment Agency, Forest Research, Octopus Energy, Plantlife and Woodland Trust were in attendance.
Students visiting the Cambridge Zero stall were invited to subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates on the upcoming student engagement events run by Cambridge Zero as well as other climate-related talks and activities run by organisations across the University.
To read more about the student engagement activities happening at Cambridge Zero, check out our Student Opportunities on Climate Change and Sustainability guide here.
