�鶹�� staff and students join thousands in London for river pollution protest

�鶹�� staff and students joined a crowd of thousands in London calling for more action to reduce the levels of pollution entering rivers and coasts.

�鶹�� staff and students attend the March for Clean Water protest in London
Credit:�鶹��

The March for Clean Water, on Sunday November 3 was organised by River Action and campaigner Feargal Sharkey.

�鶹�� was the first university to join the list of official supporters of the event. Other members include Surfers Against Sewage Clean Water Sports Alliance, British Rowing, British Canoeing, RSPB, The Women’s Institute, The Wildlife Trusts, Angling Trust, The Rivers Trust, and The Soil Association.

A group of �鶹�� staff and students, dressed in branded lab coats, went to the march with Professor Christian Dunn, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability.

Professor Dunn said: “As this was a non-party political event which isn’t putting the blame for the state of our rivers on only one aspect of society, we were more than happy to get involved.

“At �鶹�� we’re leading the way in our research and teaching on monitoring various pollutants in water and, crucially, discovering ways of removing them from our rivers using natural processes, or nature-based solutions, like wetland habitats.”

“It was fantastic taking down such a passionate group from the University to the march, and I think we put on a pretty good display with our banners.

“We all wore lab coats to show how important science, like the research we’re doing at �鶹��, is in tackling the problem of pollution in our rivers,” Professor Dunn added.

President of Undeb �鶹��, Nida Ambreen, who attended the march said: “As students, we all have a responsibility not only to pursue knowledge but to stand up for the future of our planet. Clean water is essential for our communities, environment, and future generations.

“Dressed in blue to symbolise a river of people and wearing �鶹�� lab coats, we proudly represented the research element of the march, showing that university-level passion and commitment are driving forces in this movement. It was absolutely amazing to see so many people come together.

"Attending this march alongside passionate individuals and organisations shows the power of collective action. Seeing people from all walks of life advocating for cleaner, healthier waterways is truly inspiring.”