“It inspired me” – Lundagard.se

Lund University and the municipality joined forces for Sustainability Week, presenting a series of workshops and discussions open to the public. Taking place from April 8 to 13, this annual event focused on sustainable living and invited participants to explore and engage with important sustainability issues.

Sustainability Week is a joint initiative coordinated by Lund University and the Municipality of Lund. They organize activities such as workshops, lectures, debates, concerts, exhibitions and so on. The events are open to the public and are held in both Swedish and English.

– What I really like is that it is accessible to everyone. Sustainability is an issue for everyone, but it is often discussed in bubbles and in academic contexts, says Lea Krähenmann, a student of international development and management at Lund University.

The purpose of Sustainability Week aims to raise public awareness, bring together ideas and enable interdisciplinary collaborations – all in the service of sustainable living.

Some events are organized by students from Lund University. One of those events was a panel discussion on climate anxiety, communication and actionable solutions. Some of the better-known guests in the discussion group included Kimberly Nicholas, professor of sustainable science at Lund University, and Marlis Wullenkord, postdoctoral researcher in environmental psychology at Lund University.

A variety of Sustainability-related topics were discussed during the panel discussion. They meant that the climate crisis is a serious and urgent matter, but instead of pointing fingers and shaming people, we should instead communicate in productive and healthy ways.

– What helps is to ask why people act the way they do. People are good and navigate the world in the best way possible. Be empathetic and understanding to others, says Marlis Wullenkord.

The ongoing discussion Individual versus collective responsibility was also examined. The prevailing feeling among the panelists was that they are both crucial. The importance of structural change does not detract from the power of individual responsibility.

In addition, the meaning of emotions was examined. Rather than dismissing them, the discussion emphasized the importance of understanding our own thoughts, feelings and behavior. The panelists emphasized that this is especially important in relation to climate anxiety and finding coping mechanisms.

– Emotional literacy is important. Our society does not leave much room for emotions, while we prefer rationality and science, says Marlis Wullenkord.

The organizers behind it During the event, Heléna von Glahn and Lea Krähenmann, both studying a master’s degree in international development and management, were pleased with the course of the panel discussion and the Q&A afterwards.

– We could hold conferences on this topic, but we have given it a good initial framework, says Lea Krähenmann.

Francisco Alomia, op student of environmental studies and sustainability sciences and one of the members of the panel discussion, shares the sentiment.

– I think that Sustainability Week is very well organised. As a student, it inspired me because this event was proposed and created by students.

– It’s about having an impact on other people. For me, sustainability is about community, helping the world and knowing that you are contributing, says Francisco Alomia.

Lea Krähenmann and Heléna von Glahn would recommend others to organize similar events in future Sustainability Weeks. It is a good way to take the step and get started with sustainability.

– Work with a good friend, a good person you know you can trust, says Heléna von Glahn.