On this World Environment Day, NUS News highlights the many ways NUS student groups are championing sustainability for a greener tomorrow.

NUS SAVE conducts regular nature walks for the NUS community.
In this series, NUS News explores how NUS is accelerating sustainability research and education in response to climate change challenges, and harnessing the knowledge and creativity of our people to pave the way to a greener future for all.

In the heart of NUS lies a vibrant ecosystem of sustainability champions, where staff and students do their part in advancing sustainable development and contributing to the global fight against climate change.

Over the years, many NUS student groups have sprouted up, each championing different sustainability causes – from countering climate change and conserving resources to preserving biodiversity and promoting simple initiatives for managing waste such as the 3Rs of reduce, reuse and recycle. With over 20 environmental student groups, there are many opportunities for students to actively participate and co-create a future that they desire – one that is more sustainable and kinder to Mother Earth. In line with World Environment Day, which takes place annually on 5 June, we turn the spotlight on some student groups that have contributed towards building a greener future.

NUS Students’ Association for Visions of the Earth

Established in 1993, NUS SAVE (Students’ Association for Visions of the Earth) is one of the pioneering environmental student groups that work with fellow students, various offices in NUS, and other stakeholders to build a greener NUS. The student group currently has four working cells, namely, biodiversity, green audit, green canteens, and green materials – each focusing on different aspects of environmental action. Through self-led initiatives such as the sustainability fund, green bazaar, sustainability panel discussion, beach cleanup, and edible gardens, NUS SAVE strives to advocate for a more environmentally friendly campus and build a more environmentally conscious community.

In June 2023, NUS SAVE set up a rooftop edible garden with the NUS Zero Waste Taskforce and University Campus Infrastructure, aimed at demonstrating the closing of food waste loops on NUS campus.

Many people have the misconception that sustainability entails making drastic changes to their lifestyles. However, through their initiatives, NUS SAVE wants to demonstrate how individuals can incorporate sustainability through simple daily actions. This was the motivating force behind this year’s Green Bazaar. Titled EarthMarket 2024, the bazaar, which was held at NUS UTown, took on a new concept of featuring booths that sold curated art and vintage goods with a sustainability element. With 15 booths, including thrift shops, cruelty-free handmade costume jewelry, and even a sustainable tech showcase, the bazaar highlighted different ways in which the NUS community could make purchasing decisions that are friendlier to the environment.    

In the coming academic year, NUS SAVE hopes to further its collaboration with various NUS offices to push for greener practices such as adopting new sustainability guidelines and moving towards zero-waste practices on campus, whilst continuing to build awareness and ground-up community action by involving students in meaningful initiatives. One such example is the recently launched NUS SAVE Sustainability Fund, which will provide a grant of up to S$3,000 to support green initiatives by fellow students.

1.5degreeNUS

One might find the name of this student group formed in August 2023 intriguing and wonder, “Why 1.5 degree?”.

In the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries pledged to limit the global average temperature increase to no more than 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels. While the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shared that crossing the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold has severe consequences for climate change, the student group cautioned that there is no “safe” level of global warming. They strive to equip NUS undergraduates from various academic backgrounds with essential sustainability skills and knowledge to engage in the sustainability sector, and incorporate the knowledge and skills into their core academic and professional pursuits.

Members of 1.5degreeNUS went on a field trip to a local electronic waste collection company, ALBA, where they gained first-hand insights into e-waste recovery and recycling technologies.

To deliver industry-relevant capacity-building experiences, 1.5degreeNUS collaborates with companies to organise field trips and conducts workshops for NUS students to learn, observe and share sustainability concepts such as carbon markets, climate policies, and climate justice with students. One of the most memorable field trips was to a local electronic waste (e-waste) collection company, ALBA, where students gained first-hand insights into e-waste recovery and recycling technologies. By observing the e-waste collection and recycling processes, the participants attained a better understanding of how such initiatives contribute to Singapore’s recycling objectives.

Currently, the student group is exploring ways in which it can advance sustainability goals and foster positive change within the NUS community. In addition to participating in student life activities and fairs, 1.5degreeNUS is planning to organise a case competition in the upcoming academic semester. Participating teams will get a chance to put into practice what they have learnt and propose innovative solutions to address a sustainability challenge.

NUS Vision of an Equal and Greener Earth

Founded in 2017, NUS Vision of an Equal and Greener Earth (VEGE) is a student club dedicated to sustainable living, specifically promoting a fairer and cruelty-free lifestyle. Cognisant that such a lifestyle change might be daunting, VEGE focuses its efforts on not just advocacy but also community building. In doing so, it hopes to provide support to students who may be new to a cruelty-free lifestyle that seeks to reduce the consumption of animal products and byproducts.

Transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle can be isolating due to a lack of food options or like-minded individuals. VEGE addresses this by hosting potlucks, vegan cafe outings, and other activities that allow those interested in sustainable eating to mingle and connect over great food. The student club has also been working with the University to increase plant-based food options, and for such options to be more accessible on campus.

VEGE was also invited to the opening of VidaCity, a new sustainability innovation hub for start-ups, businesses, and the community. At the event, VEGE members had the opportunity to meet and learn from Singapore ministers, industry leaders, researchers, and start-ups united in advancing the nation's sustainability goals. The eye-opening experience gave the students new perspectives and ideas on how they could encourage the NUS community to adopt more sustainable practices.

Moving forward, VEGE will be collaborating with a food-tech company to bring vegan, nutritionally balanced vending machines to campus. It is also looking to work with the University to explore including more plant-based options during campus events catering.  


News from: https://news.nus.edu.sg/nus-environmental-student-groups-pave-the-way-towards-a-greener-future/