Sustainable Futures: A Chevening Scholar’s Journey in Environmental Education at the University of York

 This narration weaves my personal journey with key experiences from York Environmental Week while showcasing my commitment to sustainability.

My Journey as a Chevening Scholar: Exploring York Environmental Week and Sustainable Solutions

Opening Scene: Sofonie at the University of York

Hello, my name is Sofonie Dala, a proud Chevening Scholar currently pursuing my MSc in Environmental Sustainability, Education, and Communication at the University of York. Throughout my journey here, I've been diving deep into understanding the world’s most pressing environmental challenges and working on finding innovative solutions to tackle them. 

Recently, I had the privilege of participating in York Environmental Week, a city-wide festival aimed at showcasing and celebrating the incredible work of environmental groups across York. The festival aligns perfectly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 15: Life on Land.

During the event, I attended The Climate Fresk, an engaging activity that turns climate science into a collaborative team game. We worked together to connect the causes, mechanisms, and effects of the climate crisis, while brainstorming solutions, addressing SDG 13 and highlighting the importance of global cooperation.

I also visited St Nicks Environment Centre and Nature Reserve, where I celebrated nature’s harvest and the efforts of local businesses that support the environment. The event tied into SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, encouraging sustainable practices in our daily lives.

Exploring an eco-home, looking at solar panels and insulation work

To close the festival, I participated in York Open Eco Homes, where I toured homes designed to be eco-friendly and energy-efficient. From adding insulation to installing solar panels, these homes were full of innovative solutions. This experience inspired me to consider eco-retrofitting my future home, contributing to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

York Environmental Week has shown me the importance of community action and the power of small changes in reducing our carbon footprint. It was an incredible opportunity to see how people here in York are actively working to protect the planet. I’m grateful for this experience, and I’m excited to continue my journey in environmental sustainability. 

My journey at the University of York is not just about learning – it’s about acting on the SDGs and finding real-world solutions to environmental problems. Together, through knowledge and community, we can create a more sustainable future for all.

Thank you for watching, and let’s continue to work together for a more sustainable future!

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PORTUGUESE VERSION

Minha Jornada como Bolsista Chevening na Universidade de York

Olá, meu nome é Sofonie Dala, e sou uma orgulhosa Bolsista Chevening cursando o Mestrado em Sustentabilidade Ambiental, Educação e Comunicação na Universidade de York. Ao longo da minha jornada aqui, tenho me aprofundado na compreensão dos desafios ambientais mais urgentes do mundo e trabalhado na busca de soluções inovadoras para enfrentá-los.

Recentemente, tive o privilégio de participar da Semana Ambiental de York, um festival que envolve toda a cidade, com o objetivo de exibir e celebrar o incrível trabalho de grupos ambientais de York. O festival está perfeitamente alinhado com os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) das Nações Unidas, especialmente o ODS 13: Ação Climática, ODS 11: Cidades e Comunidades Sustentáveis, e ODS 15: Vida Terrestre.

Durante o evento, participei do Climate Fresk, uma atividade envolvente que transforma a ciência climática em um jogo colaborativo de equipe. Trabalhamos juntos para conectar as causas, mecanismos e efeitos da crise climática, enquanto discutíamos soluções, destacando o ODS 13 e a importância da cooperação global.

Também visitei o Centro Ambiental e Reserva Natural St Nicks, onde celebrei a colheita da natureza e os esforços de empresas locais que apoiam o meio ambiente. O evento estava relacionado ao ODS 12: Consumo e Produção Responsáveis, incentivando práticas sustentáveis em nosso dia a dia.

Para encerrar o festival, participei do York Open Eco Homes, onde fiz um tour por casas projetadas para serem ecológicas e eficientes em termos energéticos. Esta experiência me inspirou a considerar a retrofitting ecológica para a minha futura casa, contribuindo para o ODS 7: Energia Acessível e Limpa e o ODS 9: Indústria, Inovação e Infraestrutura.

Minha jornada na Universidade de York não é apenas sobre aprendizado – é sobre agir em prol dos ODS e encontrar soluções reais para os problemas ambientais. Juntos, através do conhecimento e da comunidade, podemos criar um futuro mais sustentável para todos.

[Opening Scene: Sofonie at the University of York, smiling, with campus shots in the background.]

Voiceover:
"Hello, I’m Sofonie Dala, a Chevening Scholar currently pursuing my MSc in Environmental Sustainability, Education, and Communication at the University of York. My journey here has been all about exploring environmental issues and investigating solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Today, I want to share an exciting experience I had as part of York Environmental Week."

[Cut to scenes from York Environmental Week: bustling streets, environmental stalls, and activities.]

Voiceover:
"York Environmental Week is an annual city-wide festival that brings together groups and organizations to celebrate and promote environmental activity. It was an incredible opportunity to see how people here in York are actively working to protect the planet."

[Cut to scenes of Sofonie and classmates participating in Climate Fresk activity.]

Voiceover:
"I, along with my classmates, took part in the Climate Fresk, a team-based game where we worked together to connect the causes, mechanisms, and effects of the climate crisis. It was an engaging way to better understand the science behind climate change and discuss actions we can take to address it."

[Cut to footage of St Nicks Environment Centre: music, nature walks, apple pressing, and people enjoying the day.]

Voiceover:
"I also visited St Nicks Environment Centre and Nature Reserve, where we celebrated nature’s harvest. It was a fun day filled with foraging walks, live music, and even apple pressing! It was inspiring to see how local businesses and organizations are making a difference for the planet."

[Cut to Sofonie exploring an eco-home, looking at solar panels and insulation work.]

Voiceover:
"To close out the week, I participated in York Open Eco Homes. I visited homes that are eco-retrofitted to reduce their environmental impact. From adding insulation to installing solar panels, these homes were full of innovative solutions. I left feeling inspired, and I’m now considering how I can apply these ideas to my own future home."

[Cut to Sofonie smiling, perhaps with classmates at the end of the eco-home visit.]

Voiceover:
"York Environmental Week has shown me the importance of community action and the power of small changes in reducing our carbon footprint. I’m grateful for this experience, and I’m excited to continue my journey in environmental sustainability."

[Closing scene: York skyline with University of York logo and Chevening logo.]

Voiceover:
"Thank you for watching, and let’s continue to work together for a more sustainable future!"