On the same day Kiwi school students were striking for urgent action on climate change last week (24 May) Lincoln University Visiting Professor Wim de Koning was discussing the sustainability of electric vehicles with Lincoln High School Year 10 students.
He presented on sustainability for the students and said they were treated to “a university like” lecture “but really interactive and tailored to their learning curve”.
He covered from the possibility of predicting the future, and the importance of definitions, to the importance of sustainability for our future.
By using practical examples he showed the importance of approaching these very complex issues from a holistic point of view.
“Is an electric vehicle always more sustainable? The students discovered that part of answer would depend how electricity was made: from fossil fuel or from renewable sources.”
Lincoln High School social sciences teacher Mrs Kimberly Vernall said the students really enjoyed the lecture and some of the points covered have come through in the essays they have been writing “which is fantastic to see”.
Professor De Koning lectures in Sustainable AgriFood Value Chains, and sustainability is found throughout Lincoln's many subject offerings, such as environmental studies and soil science, to economics.
Lincoln University’s 2017 Environmental Sustainability Policy outlines its commitment to act as an international leader (and the leading organisation in New Zealand) in promoting and achieving ecologically, socially and economically sustainable practises.