Sustainability Week 2012
8th November 2012
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan (left) and Griff Rhys Jones (right)
Broadcaster, writer, comedian and environmental advocate Griff Rhys Jones led a celebration of the work of Cardiff’s flagship Sustainable Places Research Institute during the University’s 2012 Sustainability Week.
Griff Rhys Jones, who became patron of the Institute in 2011, addressed guests at an event to mark the second anniversary of the Research Institute, along with Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan and Carole-Anne Davies, Chief Executive of the Design Commission for Wales.
Speaking about his role as patron, Griff said: "I am delighted to be in Cardiff supporting the Sustainable Places Research Institute. There are a lot of issues and even government policies that rest on the notion of sustainability. We all need to be aware of what this means for every industry, business and discipline."
Griff Rhys Jones
Bringing together University academics and other leading figures involved in sustainability work in Wales and the UK, the event highlighted the Institute’s pioneering work in the field of sustainability science.
Since its creation, the Institute has had a significant impact on research into sustainable place making, generating new ideas around the management and policy needs for integrated solutions to sustainable living.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Colin Riordan said: “Alongside our research, staff and students across the University are working hard to ensure our day-to-day operations are generating less waste and are as efficient as possible. There are lots of positives here too.
We will ensure that decisions promote the long term, sustainable well-being of people and communities. This means moving away from decisions that promote short term fixes that lock us into unsustainable patterns and lifestyles.
There is still a lot of work to be done, by all of us. Cardiff can be one of the greenest universities in the UK, one that sets the standard for other institutions and organisations. Sustainable development isn’t easy and there are difficult issues we have to overcome, but we mustn’t be afraid to think bigger. Cardiff needs to be ambitious and better at fostering, supporting and promoting a sustainable culture in the years ahead.”