Sustainability Week 2022

From 10 to 14 October it is Sustainability Week at the University of Groningen. Enrich your knowledge about sustainability, join us on a lunch walk about biodiversity, make your own hydrogen or join the discussion after the documentary viewing on Thursday.

And of course come to our Sustainability Week Lecture: 'How looking at animals can change the world' by forester and naturalist Arjan Postma on Wednesday 12 October. As a forester, Arjan experiences how nature is constantly changing. In this keynote, Arjan will talk about the dynamics of nature and our role inside this dynamic. He will use his own experiences and stories from nature to show us that it is too late for pessimism!

You can find an overview of all activities below. You can sign up for each activity by clicking the buttons under the descriptions. We hope to see you from 10 to 14 October!

Studium Generale: Expeditie Spitsbergen

This event is not part of our Sustainabilty Week, but we highly recommend attending it!

Lunch walks | Biodiversity

1 | During this walk with Nathan Brinkman you will learn about the history and the nature of the Zernike area, with special attention to the effects of climate change. Sign-up quickly, there are only 15 spots available!

2 | The decline in biodiversity in our country is alarming. The good news is that we can all do something about it. Trees can play a role in this. Walking from tree to tree in the Noorderplantsoen, Peter Kruijt talks about trees as lifesavers. Sign-up quickly: only 15 spots!

Lunch lecture | Fair Fashion

In this lunch lecture, Marta Ferraro will present the research she has been working on with the organisation NonFictionPhoto! She looked into the degree of sustainability of the production chain of local fashion businesses. In her project, she wanted to find out how to process this into a photo exhibition with the aim of creating awareness about sustainable business and conscious purchasing. At the lunch lecture, you will also be able to admire the beautiful photo exhibition that was part of her research.

Date | Tuesday 11 October
Time | 12:00 - 12:45
Location | t.b.a. + Online
Language | English

Workshop + lecture | Hydrogen technology

When talking about renewable energy, hydrogen is of course a hot topic. Are you interested in the technology and the market behind hydrogen? This lecture will discuss electrolysis technologies and how they work, upscaling strategies for the industry, and what the global electrolyser market looks like. Besides the possibility to educate yourself, you also have the chance to make your own hydrogen and have a unique VR-experience through the hydrogen valley!

This lecture is the first lecture in a series on hydrogen by the New Energy Academy. For more information about the lecture series and to sign-up, click the button below.

Date | Tuesday 11 October
Time | 15.00 - 17.00
Location | Nijenborgh 6
Language | English

Trash Pick-up

Unfortunately too much waste still ends up on the street and in nature. So, get into action with the Green Office and the UMCG! We are going to clean up (part of) our beautiful city. By joining us, you’ll get some movement during your lunch break and do a good deed for the city. We will provide rubbish bags and litter pickers at three Pick-up points.

Date | Wednesday 12 October
Time | 12.00
Pick-up points | Zernike (in front of the Energy Academy Building, City Centre (Green Office, Visserstraat 49), UMCG

Sustainability Week Lecture | Arjan Postma: How looking at animals can change the world

The future of natural areas in the Netherlands sometimes seems unsure. As a forester and naturalist, Arjan Postma sees how nature is constantly changing. In this Sustainability Week lecture, Arjan will talk about the dynamics of nature and our role inside this dynamic. Addressing contemporary issues such as nitrogen emissions and biodiversity loss, Arjan shows that it is too late for pessimism. Linking his experiences in his workfield and stories of the natural world, Arjan teaches us that if we look at animals and nature more attentively, we can change our way in the world.

Do you want to attend this lecture? Sign up, the amount of spots is limited!

Date | Wednesday 12 October
Time | 19.00 - 20:00
Location | Energy Academy, 5159.0029
Language | English

Lunch lecture | GROENingen: Nature as a climate buffer

Due to climate change, we are increasingly faced with extreme conditions such as heat, drought and flooding. Nature can help us to limit negative consequences. As an ambassador for Natuurmonumenten, Jorien Bakker knows a lot about the importance of nature, and she will explain how nature can serve as a climate buffer, in and around Groningen. If you are also curious about what GROENingen entails, attend the lecture!

Date | Thursday 13 October
Time | 12:30 - 13:15
Location | Linnaeusborg 5173.0149 + Online
Language | Dutch

Documentary + Discussion | with Sanderine Nonhebel

The Documentary ‘The Biggest Little Farm’ describes the 8-year quest of John and Molly Chester, who left their jobs in Los Angeles to pursue their dreams: create a farm in harmony with nature. This award-winning documentary provides us with a blueprint for better living on a healthier planet.

On Thursday, we will watch ‘The Biggest Little Farm’ together. During the discussion, professor in environmental sciences Dr. Sanderine Nonhebel will guide us through this documentary, explaining how it is possible to create such a well-balanced ecosystem and what we can learn from it!

Date | Thursday 13 October
Time | 20.00 - 22.00
Location | Academy Building, Geertsemazaal
Language | English

GreenGro Walking Tour

Did you know Groningen is full of sustainable initiatives and shops? For Friday 14th, the Green Office is organizing tours around the city centre to show different green spots! Join us to see the city from another point of view and meet other green minded people like you!

Date | Friday 14 October
Starting times | 12.00 & 13.30
Meeting point | Green Office (Visserstraat 49)
Language | English