Sustainability is also viewed simply as 'eco' or recycling, and more work needs to be done to help the community understand the wider world issues linked to sustainability.

Reduce water usage and energy consumption on University campus

Grow your own - getting young people to grow their own fruit/veg and making use of what we have growing naturally in the local area (e.g. using brambles to make jam/sorbet).

Southampton in UK are expanding every day. Southampton port is the second largest car and vehicles export and import port in Europe. and this is calling Cruise ship city it means every week word largest Cruise liner travel here. In Southampton 2 university one is largest in UK. Every day this city cannot cope with local people, traveller international student, and their vehicles. I found this beautiful city getting polluted everyday cause too busy. Southampton is now built-up area; Local governments are spending billions of pounds for build accommodation for city's huge population. I think Southampton. need sustainable energy, need electric car needs and also need more electric vehicles charging point. and also need to energy saving scheme.

Poor waste management is another major problem I see every day. Plastic waste accumulates in our streets and clogs drainage systems, which leads to flooding during the rainy season and creates unhealthy living conditions in many neighborhoods.

Deforestation is happening at an alarming rate due to illegal logging, the expansion of farmland, and mining activities. This not only destroys our forests but also affects rainfall patterns and makes climate change impacts worse.

There is an ongoing problem with air pollution mainly from traffic, and people using wood burners in their home. Traffic also creates noise pollution. The light pollution from our very built up area affects nocturnal animals and insects. There are not enough trees and greenery to help absorb the air pollution, or to create spaces for rain water to go and so flooding is a growing problem because so much of our urban area is concreted over.

Sustainability and regenerative practice are critical to our deeper understanding of the skills required by coming generations, to help them to create healthy and fulfilling lives

There are not a lot of green spaces and it isnt really an easily bikable area.

Rivers also suffer from rainwater washing fertilisers into the water. This has also led to rapid algal growth in nearby ponds and other water bodies, meaning many are covered in algae and now devoid of any visible life.

Littering and rubbish are also frequently seen, releasing toxins into the soil.

Getting people personally engaged in an area where a lot is being done already.

Sustainability challenges in my community have become deeply personal to me. Every day, I see the impact of poor waste management activities, unreliable energy supply, water scarcity, and rapid environmental degradation. These issues affect how people live, work, and stay healthy. And they’ve strengthened my commitment to promoting greener building practices, cleaner cities, and long‑term solutions that can improve the quality of life for Nigerians today and in the future.

Thank you!

Singapore is the ultimate example of a country that doesn't just talk about the future, it designs it. Despite being a tiny island with almost no natural resources, it has transformed from a concrete jungle into a world-class "City in Nature," proving that urban growth and environmental health can go hand in hand.

What makes Singapore a global leader is its circular mindset, especially regarding water. Through the NEWater initiative, they recycle treated wastewater into ultra-clean, drinkable water. This "closing the loop" strategy turns a scarcity problem into a sustainable solution, showing the world that "waste" is simply a resource in the wrong place. Furthermore, the Singapore Green Plan 2030 isn't just a government document; it’s a visible reality. From skyscrapers covered in vertical forests to an incredibly efficient public transport system that discourages car use, Singapore uses technology to reduce its carbon footprint. For a student leader or journalist, Singapore serves as a powerful case study, as it proves that sustainability succeeds when innovation, strict policy, and community habits all work together.

• The fishing industry - fishing quotas and their methods of disposal of rubbish into the sea

• Transport - the only available bus link to the nearest city is extremely unreliable and expensive (£20 return), so folk struggle to make hospital appointments and work. Many end up driving (where that is possible) as it is cheaper and more reliable to drive.

- Weather: colder/damper climate leads to more heating, tumble drier use etc. -> heat pumps, solar powered electric heaters etc would help

- Oil/Gas industry

- Fishing industry

- Tourism: tourism is a main income for many in the area

+ Rewilding/habitat regeneration- river dee trust onemilliontrees

+ Wind farms

+ Hydrogen/electric buses

+ Community links

Sustainability challenges in my location have to do with illegal luxury developments made too close to shore, damaging our beaches' ecosystems and the creatures living in them.

We used to have more bridges. A war memorial bridge further up the river, and a 'swingy' bridge that was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's jubilee. Both were washed away by the surging waters of the River in Annan in a now more common than ever weather event that led to massive flooding in early 2021. Neither bridges have been replaced, and neither are they going to be despite local interest and action. A recent update has seen our local authority move from providing support to the local action community group to generate a charitable group dedicated to building a bridge and providing feasibility studies into it, to now removing themselves completely from the situation and refusing to engage with any support to rebuild our beloved bridges. This is all down to money. The bridges are of course metaphorical, sustainability is about connections, about how we work together to 'build bridges' and create an equitable and supportive world. 'We live by the leaves … and not by the coin' but the coin still rules. This 'small' event in a wee Scottish town is a typical implication the world over - how do the leaves compete with the coins?

For me sustainability is about helping people build a healthy, realistic relationship with food that also respects the environment. It’s not just about where food comes from, but understanding how our choices affect the world around us and each other. I joined this course because I want to move beyond theory and make sustainability something pupils can actually experience through cooking, growing, and everyday decisions. My aim is to teach it in a way that is practical, inclusive, and relevant to all young people, without judgement.

The issue with sustainability in our school/local area is things such as waste management. Also how to teach children about these issues with a sense of hope rather than them becoming bored with it and feeling like they have been dumped with the problem.

We are lucky in that in our local area there are people who are setting up community projects and makign really positive changes so it is ensuring that more people are onboard with this.

Protection and conservation of local flora and fauna

Reduced waste, over consumption

More reliance on green energy

Better understanding of composting and the benefits to healthy soil

In Armenia, key sustainability challenges include inefficient waste management, limited recycling infrastructure, and increasing air pollution in urban areas. There is also a need to raise public awareness and encourage responsible consumption. Developing smart waste solutions and strengthening environmental education are crucial for long-term sustainable development. I am currently exploring smart waste solutions to contribute to improving urban sustainability in my local context.

Another issue that concerns me is the growing disconnection between people and nature, especially in urban environments. Many children and young people experience nature as something distant, something that exists only in books or outside the city. This disconnection limits their sense of responsibility and belonging toward the ecosystems they are part of. For me, this is a critical sustainability issue because without that connection, it becomes difficult to foster care, awareness, and long-term commitment to environmental stewardship.

Sustainability issues for me locally have to do with invasive species removal + improving the number of native insects/plants we have in the area.

Bhutan have many glaciers, but they are melting rapidly now than few couple of years ago.

1. 🌳 Deforestation & Biodiversity Loss

2. 🌫️ Air Pollution (especially urban areas)

3. 💧 Water Pollution & Resource Degradation

4. ⛏️ Unsustainable Mining (growing problem)

5. 🌪️ Climate Change & Natural Disasters

Within Glasgow, recycling and collection needs improving.

This highlights a powerful perspective on sustainability—one rooted in resourcefulness and valuing what might otherwise be discarded. It prompts an important reflection: we can all be more mindful of our consumption and waste. Rather than over-consuming, there is much to learn from recognising that small actions, when repeated consistently, do add up.

There has been an investment of £1.34 million to regenerate what was once a busy working harbour into a community hub. Here, the harbour will be used for sporting activities, social aspects, wetland restoration and bring back the history of the town. By regenerating the wetland space, it provides a space for wildlife and sea birds to return to the area, as well as promoting environmental conservation along the Solway Firth.

But perhaps our biggest challenge isn’t the climate itself—it’s awareness. Many people here still don’t fully grasp how their daily choices contribute to the problem. We have the tools and knowledge; what’s missing is the collective will to act on them.

Shaeema Zia

• Climate vulnerability and natural disasters

• Economic and humanitarian collapse

• Resources exploited and Deforestation

Deforestation , climate change, biodiversity loss, waste management problems.

Environmental preservation is an important concern at Jahangirnagar University. The campus is well known for its natural beauty and migratory birds, but there are growing worries about ecological degradation, declining bird populations, and the impact of human disturbance on the university’s wetlands and biodiversity.

Too much litter on the streets and even some forest areas. Fly tipping is also a big issue that is currently being combatted by more vigilant surveillance and increasing fines.

Air pollution in certain parts of the town.

Overuse of plastic everywhere and lack of awareness or care are in my eyes the biggest problems in this town, and globally.

Also the blind drive for convenience above all else, as well as the ingrained 'need' for constantly "upgrading" electronics and similar, even without the actual need as what they have is still perfectly fine. This also applies to cars, clothes, equipment-there's just too much commercialism and purchase culture, increasing unnecessary waste and cost of living crisis.

Sustainability to me means living and using resources responsibly in a way that meets our present needs without limiting the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

One of the most urgent sustainability issues in my local community is poor waste management and flooding. In many parts of Nigeria, including Abuja and nearby communities, improper waste disposal often blocks drainage channels, leading to flooding during the rainy season. Flooding damages homes, disrupts transportation, increases the spread of waterborne diseases, and affects people's livelihoods. Recent government reports have also warned that many communities across Nigeria, including those in the FCT, face significant flood risks.