Offsetting the carbon footprint on campus

With reference to the letters that have appeared in this newspaper over the past weeks, concerning the transport and traffic problems at the university, in previous letters I suggested that the university should introduce a basic fee for parking (this should be a nominal figure that may cover maintenance and administration costs), which could be seen more as a means of implementing a "polluter pays" policy at the university, as well as a means of inculcating some sort of environmental responsibility in the student, rather than as a commercial initiative. This fee should be introduced for all students. I do feel that the way in which some students consider it their right to park anywhere and in any haphazard manner shows a total lack of civic responsibility. We need to ensure that future generations understand the importance of social responsibility and civic awareness.

The parking at the university has now spilt over from the spaces allotted to students into neighbouring fields. The public transport service admittedly has its faults, and these need to rectified, but it is not so bad that students are prohibited from using it rather than their own personal means of getting from A to B!

Why is it, then, so difficult to persuade students to use this service rather than their own private vehicles? I would have imagined that with such a strong issue as the environment and climate change, the university should be a hotbed of lobbyists in favour of environmental responsibility! But, sadly, this does not seem to be the case.

So what am I suggesting?

1. A simple fee structure for parking for students at the university. This should not be priced so exorbitantly that it becomes a commercial undertaking; rather, it should be considered a nominal fee that offsets the carbon footprint in using one's vehicle to get from A to B.

2. The promotion of a better and more efficient public transport system that will encourage more students to use this service more easily.

3. A campaign in favour of green transport systems and policies on campus that will encourage more debate and action by student bodies and associations.

4. A campaign that includes the planting of trees around the parking areas and university that offsets part of the negative impact of using vehicles and also enhances the environment around this institution.

Let us start to work towards a better future for the environment and, perhaps in a small way, let us contribute towards the effects of climate change around the world.

Our university is one of the oldest in Europe - we should make sure that we set the right example for others to follow!