Should Universities ‘Go Vegan’ to Help Tackle Climate Change?
Following several UK universities’ switch to veganism to reduce their environmental footprint, we ask whether this is the best way for universities help solve the climate change problem.
Universities’ reasons for their switch to veganism
The switch to veganism is becoming somewhat of a growing trend, promoted heavily by the media as a way to tackle climate change. Given the media attention, it’s unsurprising UK universities and student societies have decided to also jump on the vegan bandwagon. It’s a worthwhile cause too. According to a recent UN report on climate change which was cited in an article for the Guardian: “Animal products cause more damage than [producing] construction minerals such as sand or cement, plastics or metals. Biomass and crops for animals are as damaging as [burning] fossil fuels.”
Limiting students’ choice
Some farmers are arguing that the move towards veganism is a limiting choice and an unnecessary way to approach the problem of climate change. When asked about her views on the University of Cambridge’s decision, Rachel Carrington from National Farming Union NFU in the UK told the BBC it was "disappointing the university is taking this overly-simplistic approach"
What else can universities do to help combat climate change?
If veganism isn’t the answer, then what is? You can find out more about what universities around the world are doing to tackle climate change here and here are some alternative ways UK universities are choosing to cut down on their carbon emissions.
What is the answer?
There is no one answer to climate change, and it’s important to remember that universities can only do so much. However, it’s important that they still try to make a significant difference, and act as a leading catalyst for change by educating students about climate change. By doing the above and by researching the causes and effects of climate change in order to educate and inform, universities can have a monumental impact on saving our planet.
10Most Beautiful Places in Latin America
If you’re thinking of studying abroad in Latin America, there’s plenty to look forward to: world-class universities, never-ending cultural offerings, delicious and wide-ranging cuisines, a thriving nightlife in the top student cities, and friendly and welcoming local people. We’ve taken a step away from the academic side of things to look at another great reason to study in Latin America: its vast selection of historic, natural, man-made, traditional and modern beautiful places to see. We’ve attempted to narrow down 10 of the most beautiful places in Latin America – leave a comment below if you think we’ve missed any must-see treasures.
Iguazu Falls
Stretching across the “tri-border” between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, Iguazu Falls (or Iguaçu Falls) is made up of 275 waterfalls and is collectively twice as wide as Niagara Falls. The biggest drop is a massive 80 meters, and the entire 2,700 meter-wide area is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Patagonia
Argentina is home to the wonderfully wild and untouched Patagonia, a region it shares with Chile, which is widely celebrated as one of the most beautiful places in Latin America. Argentine Patagonia is a combination of steppe-like icy plains and glaciers (the most stunning being the Glaciar Perito Moreno) and luxuriant vegetation, animal and bird life towards the Andes
Salar de Uyuni
Salar de Uyuni in southwest Bolivia is the world’s largest salt flat, spanning 10,582 square kilometers and situated 3,656 meters above sea level. The Salar is extraordinarily flat and has a lithium-rich salt crust with an estimated 11 billion short tons of salt. When it rains, the thin layer of water transforms the crust into a giant mirror, leading to some stunning and very creative pictures at one of the more unique places in Latin America.
Ouro Preto
Brazil contains many impressive academic institutions, such as Universidade de São Paulo; Universidade Estadual de Campinas; and Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. A former colonial mining town, Ouro Preto is now a thriving university town, whose flagship university Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP) is ranked at joint 111th in Latin America.
Torres del Paine
Chile’s Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) consistently tops the QS Latin America University Rankings. Southern Chile also boasts the impressive Torres del Paine National Park. A World Biosphere Reserve which came fifth on the list of most beautiful places in the world according to National Geographic, this spectacular region is a transition area between the Magellanic sub-polar forests and the Pantagonian Steppes
Cartagena
Colombia boasts several impressive institutions, including Universidad de los Andes in capital city Bogotá. One of many beautiful places in Colombia, Cartagena (Cartagena de Indias) is often described as Colombia’s most beautiful city. This picturesque port city on the northern coast of Colombia is the fifth-largest city in the country, and is best known for its colonial walled city and fortresses
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Biological Reserve
Channel your inner Aladdin and walk among the clouds at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, so-called because of its persistent low-level cloud cover. This 10,500-hectare reserve has six ecological zones, extremely high biodiversity, over 500 bird species, the endemic Golden Toad, and the largest number of orchids in the world.
Tikal (Guatemala)
Guatemala is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tikal, one of the largest archeological sites of the Maya civilization. Set in the heart of the jungle, this remote city is the best understood of any of the large lowland Maya cities, due to archeologists’ continued exploration of its tombs, monuments, temples and palaces.
Machu Picchu (Peru)
Peru is perhaps most well known for Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Located 2,430 meters above sea level, this relatively intact cultural site has three primary structures: the Inti Watana, the Temple of the Sun and the Room of the Three Windows, all situated in the Sacred District of Machu Picchu.
Angel Falls (Venezuela)
Venezuela’s highest ranking university is consistently the Universidad Central de Venezuela. Speaking of height, Venezuela is also home to the tallest waterfall in the world: Angel Falls in Canaima National Park. Salto Ángel in Spanish and Kerepakupai Vená in the language of the Native American Pemon, many of whom call Canaima their home, Angel Falls stands at a neck-straining 979 meters
How to Enjoy a Socially Distanced Halloween on Campus
Anyone who loves the spooky season will be particularly excited about this year’s Halloween. Why? Because this year’s Halloween not only falls on a Saturday (a whole weekend dedicated to Halloween- yes please!) but there will also be a full moon, which we all know is when the werewolves come out.
Bake some spooky treats
If you’ve been baking lots of banana bread during lockdown, you’re probably a seasoned baker by now (pardon the pun), so why not branch out and try baking some Halloween themed treats? BBC good food has devised a list of tasty Halloween recipes to try making either by yourself or with your roommates. For particularly ambitious bakers, try making this delicious Halloween slash cake that looks good enough to eat in one sitting
Try a tarot card reading
Let’s be honest, there’s very little that’s scarier than thinking about the future when you’re a student. Why not learn to read your friends’ futures using tarot cards? Tarot readings can be focused on a specific area of your life (such as love, career, friendships) or they can be used to answer a specific question. Particularly terrifying questions include: ‘will I pass the upcoming exam?’ and ‘will I ever find love?’
Host a scary movie marathon
A classic Halloween activity. Gather your housemates, switch off all the lights and light a candle. It’s time to watch some scary movies. There are so many brilliant scary films out there and streaming platforms now have entire sections dedicated to scary films.
Make some Halloween cocktails
No Halloween is complete without the appearance of some spooky cocktails (or mocktails). There are plenty of recipes online for Halloween cocktails. If you’re sharing the cocktails with roommates, you might want to try using a carved-out pumpkin as a bowl. To make your cocktails even more spooky, add jelly sweets to float in your cocktail.
17Feelings You’ll Have Starting University
Starting university can be a truly daunting experience and emotions are often high. You’re having the time of your life, but also probably moving away from home for the first time, so will probably experience a lot of different feelings. Here are 17 feelings you might have in your first couple of weeks at university!