TV star and naturalist tells Beds Uni students – ‘It’s time to experiment in your life’

A sold-out audience of more than 200 people gathered in the main lecture theatre at the University’s Luton campus on January 31, with hundreds more viewers watching the remote livestream online.

During the hour-long public lecture and Q&A, Chris provided a number of thought-provoking anecdotes and advice on everything from simple sustainable changes to activism, to the future of the environment and protecting wildlife.

He also gave some top tips for how students can ‘go green’ while at university, suggesting: “This is a time to experiment in your life. Think about how you can change your mind, your life and its impact on the natural world and the environment. For example, you might come here as a full-time carnivore and recognise that transitioning towards a plant-based diet could be a useful thing for your health – and for the health of the planet.”

Professor Andrew Church, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation and the Vice Chancellor’s Executive Group lead for sustainability, said: “Sustainability is one of the driving forces of everything we try to do as a University and having someone such as Chris, who wholeheartedly shares these ambitions, deliver this public lecture was brilliant. It was a fantastic evening and the little touches, such as having fully vegan refreshments and food on offer, really encompassed what we are striving towards as a sustainable institution.”

As well as attendees from the University, the free event attracted lots of people from the wider community, including environmental campaigners and pupils from local schools and colleges. Representatives from local charity, The Wildlife Trust, also attended and used the opportunity to speak with guests after the talk, educating and informing curious ears about the organisation’s mission to create a wilder future by protecting and restoring wildlife and natural habitats across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.

Some of the ways the University has been effectively implementing sustainability across its campuses include rainwater harvesting to flush toilets, use of cross-campus electric vans, the planting of wildflower meadows to encourage biodiversity and the introduction of solar panels.