Climate change constitutes one of the biggest challenge of our times, and whereas many effective technological alternatives to our polluting lifestyles have been identified, the obstacle in implementing these brilliant ideas lies in human behavioural patterns. Breaking habits, adjusting worldviews, negotiating conflicting interests – these are crucial steps that individuals, groups and governing parties must take in order to actualise sustainable policies in all levels of society. And this is where social scientists can play a role.
The island of Texel has harboured many experiments in sustainable solutions to ecological pressures. During our excursion, we will take inspiration from these experiments and learn what it takes to turn ideas into action, to encourage individuals to participate, to win social support for allocating funds and to maintain interest in sustainability.
We will use this inspiration to support the Leiden University Green Office (LUGO) in their effort to make Leiden University a sustainable organisation by designing effective interventions. We will present these ideas to LUGO and the board of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences upon our return.
Programme:
Day 1 – October 10, 2018
08.45h Gather at Leiden Central Station
13.00h Arrival Texel
13:45h Departure to excursions (EcoMare/fishery/TexelEnergie/Texel Municipality/Wadden)
17.00h End excursies, cycle to Stayokay hostel
18.00h Diner buffet in hostel
20.00h Sustainability Pubquiz
Day 2 – October 11, 2018
08.30h Breakfast
09:30h TexLabs – a new knowledge institute on Texel
09.45h Sustainability is everybody’s business
10.45h Group work with Think Tank
12.15h Prolonged lunch break
14.00h Connecting with other Think Tanks
15.00h Presentations of Plans
16.00h Light meal
16.45h Cycle to ferry terminal
20:56h Expected arrival at Leiden Central Station