Climate Change takes centre stage at Salford University

“They’re not doing enough. No way. Especially when you see places in the Far East and places, look at all the kind of stuff that’s going on– when it comes to say, South America, they’re not doing enough at all. Even when it comes to the forest fires, they’re just putting it on the news and not doing anything about it, and we aren’t even helping to raise any money or anything like that. It’s not good enough”, said Alex, a University of Salford Student.

This week Salford University hosted a call to action climate event in their New Adelphi Building.

See more: Extinction Rebellion take over Salford University.

It was organised with the partner Design MCR, who emphasised that anyone can get involved with the global call to action group ‘Extinction Rebellion’, saying it’s a movement for people to get involved with together.

Rebecca is a Salford University student who was there yesterday and volunteered at the event which she says was a ‘record turn out’. “This room was full of people with lots of workshops going on. It’s so nice to get people involved.”

She said it’s so important to get people excited about these kind of events. “The more the better really. It’s really nice to get people being creative about it as well.”

Many students have also made the point that they believe these kind of events are great to see, not only to educate people, but to get creative in the ways we can potentially solve the climate crisis. At the same time, some say that other countries on the planet aren’t doing enough, including giants like America and China.

“I’ve had a lot of my friends say the same when I say that those larger countries aren’t doing enough. I feel like we’re such a small country that we are doing a lot, but it’s always in the back of your mind that we could do as much as we want but when you’ve got massive countries not doing anything, well, they need to get on board as well”, said Rebecca.

Others have pointed out that President Trump could be stepping up to the plate more when it comes to the climate crisis, after he pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord in 2016.

“When it comes to America, with how much money they have and even Donald Trump being a business man, he should be able to put something together, but he isn’t doing anything”, said Alex, a University of Salford student.

Matt, a University of Salford staff member said that the vibe was electric but also pointed out others’ fears that he wonders how far all this will go in the grand scheme of things when larger countries won’t get on board.

“There are a few things you wonder, like how much of a difference it’s going to make, because we’re just a tiny island really. And like I was just saying a moment ago to my colleagues, with the likes of China and America, who are probably in denial about the problems– they’re massive countries and if they aren’t willing to make a change, then I don’t see how things improve. They produce far more waste and pollution than we do. So unless the big guns, if you like, help to achieve what we’re trying to do, then there will be just be bigger problems in the future”, said Matt.