THE University of St Andrews is switching its network to Ecosia as part of its strategy to reach net-zero carbon by 2035.
Ecosia, a non-profit search engine, uses advertising revenue gained from searches to plant trees – for every 45 searches you make, you plant a tree.
Ellie King, St Andrews on Ecosia campaign leader, said: “After campaigning for two years to get the university to switch to using Ecosia we are delighted to see this now taking place.
“Throughout the campaign we have been supported by so many people across the University, from students and staff to societies and student bodies, coming together to show the power of environmental activism.
“Making this change will help the university reach its ambitious target of net zero by 2035, making a positive impact on the world from the outset.
“We hope that we inspire other students to start their own grassroots movements at other universities to make a difference with Ecosia.”
Ecosia’s tree-planting mission mirrors the university’s St Andrews Forest, which brings together alumni and friends of the university to plant trees over the globe.
Professor Clare Peddie, vice-principal education (proctor), added: “For an institution which places sustainability and social responsibility at the heart of its mission, the switch to Ecosia demonstrates our commitment to tackling the global climate emergency.
“St Andrews is home to some of the brightest and best, environmentally active, and socially aware students in the world.
“The student-led campaign is an excellent example of how to challenge green thinking around the tech, and how staff and students can come together to make a positive, global impact.
“We want to be known as a university which practises what it preaches and puts sustainability at the heart of its operations.”
Working alongside the Environmental Strategy Board, students at St Andrews figured out the benefits, implications and environmental impact of the switch to Ecosia.
Fred Henderson, project co-ordinator at Ecosia, said: “Now that St Andrews has made Ecosia its default search engine, we will be able to plant hundreds of thousands more trees.
“I can’t thank the St Andrews on Ecosia team enough for initiating this environmental change and to the faculty and IT department for implementing the switch.
“I hope it will inspire other universities around the world to join the movement.”
The switch to Ecosia will take place on January 24 and students will be advised on how to make the change on their own devices as well
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