PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: Today (Wednesday, November 16), and tomorrow (Thursday, November 17), King’s College campus, University of Aberdeen – see details below
Students at the University of Aberdeen are joining forces with the city’s eco-friendly organisations for a two-day event that aims to highlight the benefits of living in a greener environment.
Organised by Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA), Abergreen, is the first of its kind at the University and will welcome Rector for the University of Aberdeen, Robin Harper, MSP.
Abergreen aims to raise awareness of how individuals can contribute towards improving the use of natural resources.
The University’s King’s College campus will host several organisations including Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Waste Aware Grampian, and Aberdeen Campaign Against Climate Change.
The event, which features music, art and exhibitions, also coincides with the official opening of an organic vegetable plot – The Abergreen Garden. The garden, which is situated on Dunbar Street, is being cultivated to demonstrate the importance of growing food locally and will be officially opened by Robin Harper.
Robin Harper MSP, said: "I am delighted to be invited to open the student garden and allotment plot, to contribute some oak saplings to a mini tree nursery, and to open the Evergreen Exhibition at Elphinstone and kick start the series of Abergreen events.
“It is heartening to see students at the University of Aberdeen linking in with environmental organisations in the city, and helping to inspire the present generation of students to be environmentally aware and responsible.
“I look forward to encouraging these most welcome developments to expand throughout my term as Rector, and warmly congratulate Richard Miller and the Student Association for such an innovative and exciting project."
The event will also include a Rubbish Art contest, giving students the chance to demonstrate their creativity while re-using waste for aesthetic and practical uses. A Beer Can Dragon has been made by the Shared Planet Society and will be open to all students to enjoy!
Richard Miller, Vice-President, Advice and Support, said: “As students of the University of Aberdeen, this event is the ideal opportunity for us to make a positive contribution towards the environment by taking action, using common sense and creative thinking.
“We believe that reducing the quantities of disposable products we consume is the first step to improving the environment. We also believe that recycling waste is essential – being thoughtful and proactive with the environment is an issue for everyone.”
The events running today and tomorrow will see an Environmental Information Exhibition and the Rubbish Art contest both running from 10am – 4pm outside Elphinstone Hall.
The Abergreen Garden will be open to visitors this morning. A film showing, entitled The End of Suburbia, will take place at 6.00pm tonight in King’s College Centre, which is open to the public.
Also tonight, the Friends of the Earth (Aberdeen group) are hosting an environment themed quiz night in the New Union Bar on Littlejohn Street, at 8.00pm.
The event culminates on Thursday evening with the Abergreen Bands Night at The Tunnels. Three local acts will perform, including rock giants King Louie, the hard-hitting Senza Misura and the melodic acoustic anthems of Cameron McEwen. Doors open at 8.30pm and tickets are priced at £2.00 with all proceeds going to charity.
Further information about Abergreen is available by contacting the Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) on: (01224) 272965.