6 Ways to Know If Your University Is Taking Climate Change Seriously

Attempts to navigate sustainable alternatives aren’t always straight forward. Initially thinking green cars powered by green energy would be enough, Wits’ School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering has taken it one step further.

‘Green’ tyres is what it’s all about now. Although research developments are still in their infancy, the research team which includes members from Michelin, Iveco, Afrit, Lafarge, and Total, as well as Cambridge University and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, are hopeful that this design transformation will be a good alternative business investment for companies who rely on the transportation of goods all over the world.

Wits researchers tested these low rolling resistance tyres in highly controlled test environments for more than a year. They found that although the low rolling resistance tyres had a 25 percent shorter lifespan than conventional tyres, the initial results were positive and indicated a potentially huge advantage.

Professor Frank Kienhöfer at the Wits’ School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering also suggested that “such savings on fuel could increase profits by 40 percent, even when calculating the tyres’ shorter life-span.”

Wits is also home to two large rooftop gardens which work to insulate the particular buildings during winter and keep the heat out during hot, South African summers.

Going green like this offers the opportunity for students to learn a bit more about the benefits that planting trees, plants, and flowers can have on the environment. Some universities are even going as far as encouraging students to plant their own fruit and vegetables, which can be used in on-campus cafés, and use the gardens for composting leftover foods.

Image credit: University of the Witwatersrand

All things green and renewable aren’t breaking news anymore as cheaper and greener alternative energy resources become more accessible to many in the form of wind turbines, hydroelectric power, biofuels and so on.

Considered to be one of the most reliable sources of renewable energy, solar panels are taking over our rooftops left, right and center. They reduce energy costs, don’t need a lot of maintenance, can be used to heat water and power electricity, all while reducing carbon emissions.

In 2017, solar panels were installed at Wits’ Braamfontein Campus as an alternative energy source. A year later, the University developed the largest solar hot water system in the southern hemisphere in order to meet the demands of the halls of residence which houses over 1,000 students.

Image credit: University of the Witwatersrand

It’s not just what’s on your plate that matters – where it comes from is also a big deal. While some universities around the world are going as far as to stop serving beef on campus to reduce their carbon footprint, other universities are taking great care in choosing where they source their ingredients, foods and drinks from.

Choosing local stores and farmers markets that are environmentally responsible will always get a big thumbs up.