On November 5th, the library at NMBU buzzed with activity as the
university hosted its third annual Sustainability Festival. This year, students from the EDS355 course – Climate change and society –organized events that explored climate-resilient development in both local and global contexts.
Visitors had the chance to dive into critical issues like the challenges facing the Oslo Fjord, the human impact of climate-induced displacement in the Lake Chad region, and the complexities of agricultural transitions in Norway. Other exhibits included topics such as energy policies around the world and the
unintended consequences of climate adaptation.
The festival concluded with a panel discussion on how NMBU and local
communities can drive transformative change toward a climate-resilient future. Alongside the student group activities, participants could explore the Landscape Laboratory on campus through a tour showcasing sustainable water management solutions and urban agriculture practices.
Blending global and local perspectives, the Sustainability Festival spurred
meaningful conversations and hopefully inspired both students and staff to take action toward a more sustainable future.
Below are some highlights from the festival in pictures.
NMBU vice rector for Sustainability, Astrid Sinnes, opened the festival.
What is climate resilient development? Professor Siri Eriksen, the course leader and IPCC author, introduced the festival's theme, "climate-resilient development," guiding attendees through a key figure first presented in the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report.
Climate migration in the Lake Chad region. Students from the course presented their research and activities, delving into a wide range of topics. One group focused on climate migration in the Lake Chad region, illustrating how the lake's dramatic reduction due to climate change and human mismanagement has driven significant migration patterns.
Where Does Our Electricity Come From? One student group created an interactive dashboard that allows users to explore the sources of electricity in different countries. The tool provides insights into how each nation's electricity is generated, highlighting the mix of renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
How can we protect our dying fjord? Two of the student groups concentrated on the Oslo Fjord, examining it from distinct perspectives. One explored the threat towards the biodiversity of the fjord, while the other investigated the emotional and cultural impact of its ecological decline.
Many other projects and student initiatives participated. In addition to the students’ installations there were also many stands from other organizations and projects. Here, Spire, Food Sharing Ås and Bua shared information about their organizations. The Sustainability Hub was also at the festival, sharing their work with sustainability at the university.
The festival concluded with a panel discussion focusing on strategies to improve climate-resilient development in the Follo region. The invited panel featured Cecilie Dahl-Jørgensen Pind, Mayor of Nordre Follo; Finn Aren Weltzien, Pro-Rector for Research; Professor Stian Stensland, leader of the Oslo Fjord Initiative; Axel Fidje Seiner from BIT Center in Ås; Celine Nygaard Weiseth from the Future in Our Hands Ås; and Linn Browning, representing students from the EDS355 course.
The discussion was guided by questions prepared by the EDS355 students and moderated by student Riya Dani.
Festival goers were also invited to the premiere screening of a music video from last year's festival. The video features music from a student performance that illustrates the red and green pathways highlighted in Climate Resilient Development figure from the IPCC report.
See the video here: