Erasmus Sustainability Days 2019

The Sustainability Days is the moment in which the many sustainability initiatives at the EUR are presented. But how sustainable are we really, if we try to raise awareness but secretly still fly to a conference several times a year? How serious is Erasmus University when it comes to limiting flying for its scientists? Is ‘sustainability’ more than a buzzword that you can use occasionally to buy off your sins? And why should students join the global climate strike? You can find the answer in this EM special.

Twenty-two prominent academics working at Dutch universities sounded the alarm regarding climate change, stating in a letter that universities must be more proactive in their climate policies and in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Thea Hilhorst of ISS was one of the Rotterdam-based signatories of the letter. “Academics must drastically reduce the amount of air travel they undertake.”

The European Central Bank’s monetary policy should contribute to the EU’s climate targets, says Finance professor Dirk Schoenmaker. “The stimulus package currently undermines sustainability and indirectly favours companies in the fossil fuel sector.”

Unlike many other universities, Erasmus University does not have any policies in place to curb flights by its staff. This needs to change over the next few years.

Environmental philosopher Yogi Hendlin calls on students to join the global climate strike and the nationwide education strike on 15 March. “Because if we don’t prioritize education, there will be little hope that we have sufficient knowledge and power to provide the next generation of leadership that our world desperately needs.”