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Emissions
‘r’ us: (Richard
Howson: Residential and Commercial Services)
– It’s not often an academic report
makes the front page of a national newspaper
but Professor Chris Thomas has drawn attention
to the impact of global warming on bio- diversity
to great effect. (“An unnatural disaster”
– Guardian 7/1/04).
Though Leeds is at the cutting edge of research
in the field, both the institution and the
people who work here do little or nothing
to help solve or even ameliorate the problem.
Car emissions are cited as a major factor
that contributes to global warming. Yet more
than 60 percent of University staff drive
to work, often over great distances. Only
28 percent use public transport while a meagre
12 percent walk or cycle.
Leeds residents are only too aware of the
reduction in traffic congestion and the improved
air quality during the University vacations.
It’s reasonable to assume that the more
insidious problem of associated greenhouse
gas emissions are also reduced and to conclude
that we may be more of a problem than a solution.
The University gains prestige through media
coverage. It’s a feather in our cap
and we should stick one in while we can still
find birds to pluck. With knowledge comes
responsibility, however.
It’s easy to blame the American government
who have refused to sign up to even the modest
Kyoto agreement but we can’t criticise
Joe Public who is being told that global warming
is “the biggest con ever to be perpetrated
on the world.”
We have no such excuse. Professor Thomas and
his colleagues are right to be concerned.
THE
GM debate: (Dr Jacqui Stewart,
Senior Lecturer in Theology) – Readers
of the GM Debate in Reporter Issue 493 may
be interested in the following chapter dealing
with theological aspects of the new applied
genetics including GM: Stewart, J.A. (2003)
Re-Ordering Means and Ends: Ellul and the
New Genetics. In: Deane-Drummond, C., Szerszynski,
B., Grove- White, R (ed.) Re-Ordering Nature:
theology, society and the new genetics, T&T
Clark, pp.257-274.
Flying
the flag:
(Chris Jones, Porter) – I was recently
given the task of raising the Union Flag to
half-mast on the Parkinson Building. This
was to mark the passing of a prominent member
of staff. It might sound strange that I had
to raise the flag to half-mast, but the fact
is, it is never flown at full-mast. Instead
it sits folded in a filing cabinet in the
porters’ office.
I don’t know the reason why our national
flag isn’t permanently flown. Maybe
it’s because some far-right groups have
tried to adopt it as their own. My opinion
is that the more respectable companies and
institutions fly the flag – especially
places like the University of Leeds, which
welcomes students and staff of many nationalities
– the less it will be seen as a negative
symbol. Most other countries fly their flag
with pride and so should we. If not the Union
flag, then maybe England’s Cross of
St George, or even a design combining the
University crest with one of the former.
Let’s fly our flag high with pride and
then on the thankfully rare, but sad occasions
when it is necessary, it could be lowered
to show true respect as is traditional.
The
start of Christmas: (Brian
McCarthy, TechniTex Faraday Partnership) –
I write to congratulate all those involved
in the organisation and execution of the 2003
Carol Service held in the Great Hall on December
7. It was an event of the highest quality
with excellent performances from the choir
(including some outstanding solo pieces) and
orchestra and a collection of thoughtful and
moving readings. It was a true credit to the
University and an excellent start to the Christmas
season. Well worth the drive from Manchester
on a cold frosty December day.
Bad
news coming:
(Christopher Hammond, Institute for Materials
Research) – “Bad news coming,
thought Winston. And sure enough… came
the announcement that, as from next week,
the chocolate ration would be reduced from
thirty grams to twenty.”
“It appeared that there had even been
demonstrations to thank Big Brother for raising
the chocolate ration to twenty grams a week.
Was it possible that they could swallow this
after only twenty-four hours?”
George Orwell ‘1984’ (1949), ch
II & V
“Academic space per FTE student has
reduced from 20.5m2 in 1988/89 to 11.8m2 in
2002. There is an objective of achieving a
further reduction to 9m2 per FTE by 2007/8.”
“We are committed to providing all of
our students….with a challenging, rewarding,
supportive and enjoyable environment…one
which is responsive to their needs, which
facilitates their personal development.’
University of Leeds Estate
Strategy (2003) pp 5 & 14 |
