On an uncharacteristically sunny Friday, the ground floor of the Clarice Pears building was abuzz with activity. A group of people huddled around a table scattered with planks of wood, learning how to make owl boxes to shelter wildlife and birds. Nearby, meeting rooms were booked out for workshops, with signs pointing students to sessions on ‘Coffee, Culture and Community’ and more. As students filtered in and out of the space, there was a sense of collectivity – each person keen to contribute to climate action in whatever way they could.
The Glasgow Goes Green festival has been held annually since 2016, bringing together a consortium of local organisations, community groups and universities. This year’s event – which occurred from 2 – 6 March – featured workshops and talks from groups such as the Bank Street Resident Traders Association, the Climate 2050 group, and the Full of Beans campaign, alongside guest speakers Chef Rohan Wadke and Adventurer Mike Elm. Sessions ranged widely in scope: from a screening of a fishing documentary in Orkney, to climate poetry and workshops on climate misinformation.
With a variety of events on offer, the festival provided students with a multitude of ways to engage with sustainability. But beyond workshops and talks, a larger question emerges: what does ‘going green’ actually look like for students at the University of Glasgow?
Finlay McIlwraith, the student and staff engagement promoter for Glasgow University’s Environmental and Sustainability Team, notes that the festival is ultimately about empowering students to act. “Glasgow Goes Green brings together different people, different organisations that show climate action can be approached positively, in practical and collaborative ways” he says. “This year’s theme ‘Think Global, Act Glasgow’ encourages students to start with small actions, rather than trying to solve everything at once.”
For undergraduate student Zoe, the festival opened up new creative ways of thinking. “It’s not just sitting round a table talking about climate death,” she says. “It can be writing poetry, or lino printing t-shirts, or talking to people from different organisations, both in and out of university.” She also highlights the way her thinking around sustainability has been influenced, especially when it comes to daily habits. “Talking about fashion, I had no idea that the average lifespan of a t-shirt is only three months. I’m thinking of making more conscious choices, and how daily life choices do have a deeper impact on our environment.”
Another student echoed this sense of discovery. “It’s been really interesting; there have been lots of different stalls. I visited the windmill stall – learning how to make windmills more efficient, from energy collection to positioning, was fascinating. I also hadn’t realised the positive impact eating locally-produced, seasonal fruits and vegetables can have on the ecosystem.”
But alongside enthusiasm for sustainability, some students also spoke about an impending sense of climate anxiety. One volunteer noted, “Not many of my friends are super passionate about the environment, but the ones who are feel really anxious. However, the workshops here on climate anxiety and anti-despair strategies have helped me see that action and self-care can go hand in hand.”
Zoe also says her awareness of the issue has intensified over time. “I was interested in school, but now it feels like a climate emergency, so I’m more engaged.”
Finlay believes this tension between concern and empowerment is something the festival tries to address. “Young people have a lot of awareness about the climate crisis, but sometimes their degrees don’t set them up to feel confident to act. Climate anxiety is real, so we need to make sure students see the options for change, not just the problems.”
For other students, going green ventured beyond campus activities into the Scottish outdoors. The Glasgow University Walking Society organised a trip to the Isle of Bute, demonstrating how exploration and environmental appreciation are also a way to engage with climate action sustainably. “With the theme ‘Think Global, Act Glasgow’ we wanted to show that you don’t need to travel halfway across the globe for beautiful scenery,” says Jacques Shorte, society president. “The Isle of Bute offers exceptional wildlife and beautiful coastlines. Glasgow’s public transport system also makes it possible as a one-day trip.”
On the day of the trip, yellow gorse lined roads and vividly blue skies opened onto sweeping coastal views – a reminder of the landscapes that need to be protected. Jacques also hopes the trip had a lasting impression on people, empowering them to explore Scotland and the natural world around them. “It’s important – not only for ourselves – that we do everything we can to protect our shared natural heritage,” he says.
Across the festival, students gained insights into integrating environmentally conscious decisions in their own lifestyles. Finlay highlights that the variety of activities illustrates that there isn’t just a single way to be involved in climate action. “There are lots of amazing people working in different ways in the climate and nature field,” he says. “The breadth of topics we’re covering shows there’s no one way to be involved.”
Whether through volunteering, creative workshops, food, or exploring Scotland’s landscapes, students at Glasgow University are discovering that Going Green means more than awareness. It means engaging actively, reflecting on daily habits, connecting with the natural world, and supporting one another in a climate-conscious community. For many, the Glasgow Goes Green festival is a reminder that sustainability is both personal and collective: every small step matters.
Image credits: Elena Mathew
