News / The University of Bristol
Turning internet searches into trees at Bristol University
Thanks to a student-led initiative, the University of Bristol has switched to the Berlin-based not-for-profit search engine, which uses advertising revenues to plant trees across the world.
The switch to Ecosia will boost the university’s attempts to become carbon-neutral by 2030 and has already led to the planting of 672 new saplings in countries such as Madagascar, Brazil and Indonesia.
It is estimated the move will result in more than 200,000 trees being planted each year, around the world.
The initiative was led by veterinary students Hannah Rose and Elspeth Taylor, who have been raising awareness of the eco-friendly search engine at events on campus and through a social media campaign.
Elspeth said that she was “thrilled” that Bristol University has embraced Ecosia.
“The success of the campaign shows there’s a desire across the board to take action on the climate crisis, which is one of the biggest challenges we all face right now and will face for generations to come,” said Elspeth.
Erik Lithander, the pro-vice-chancellor for global engagement at the university, said: “The adoption of Ecosia is one of the many steps that the university is taking to integrate sustainability into our daily activities, from the way that our students learn to the way in which we conduct our research. We look forward to seeing its impact.”
Ecosia has already planted more than 118 million trees across 26 countries impacted by deforestation. The University of Bristol is the third Russell Group university to have switched to the search engine.
Main photo: Ecosia
Read more: Bristol University to go fossil free
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