Victoria University of Wellington endorses the School Strike for Climate

Victoria University of Wellington is endorsing the School Strike for Climate on Friday 27 September and encouraging its staff and students to take part.

This is the third school climate strike to be held this year and this time organisers are asking individuals and organisations to join with school students in making their voice heard on the issue.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford says climate change is the most significant challenge facing the world today and the University is committed to playing its part to fight it.

“There is a pressing need for universities like ours to lead change. We do this through our teaching and research, by reducing our own carbon footprint, and through positive, collective action like this. As a global-civic University, we encourage our staff and students to show leadership and to engage with important social, environmental, and cultural issues locally, nationally and globally.”

Professor Guilford says the University is running a week of sustainability-related talks and events from 9–13 September, Toitū te Ao—Sustainability Week. This will culminate with the launch of the University’s detailed plan to reduce its carbon footprint.

“This is an ambitious plan but we need bold action if the world is to avert the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change,” Professor Guilford says.

He says it has been inspiring to see a new generation leading the climate change protest and the University wants to show its support.

A contingent of staff and students will be marching from the University to Te Ngākau Civic Square on 27 September to join others for the march to Parliament.