Sustainability Months

Avoiding the car not only helps save urban space and air quality – it also gives you time to read, meditate, or simply relax while the bus driver deals with traffic. A little extra physical activity benefits both mental and physical health, and public transport is free.

What’s hiding in your shed?

If your spring cleaning turns up an old but working bicycle that no one uses anymore, bring it to the university! We’ll fix it up, refresh the paint, and make it available for the university community to use during the workday. This way, we promote joyful movement, give old things a new life, free up space in your shed, and – let’s be honest – reduce the environmental footprint of mobility at the university.

Why does it matter?
28% of TalTech’s environmental footprint comes from mobility (Climate-Neutral TalTech Roadmap 2035). The only way to reduce this is for people who usually drive everywhere to start doing as much of their commuting as possible by other means. Walking, cycling, taking the bus, tram, train, or scooter – that leaves roads and parking spaces for those who truly have no other option.

An old bike without gears might not be trendy anymore, but it’s perfect for rolling to a meeting in another building on campus – especially when a 10-minute walk isn’t quite feasible.

Let us know about your bike (or bikes!) at rohekuud@taltech.ee

Climate anxiety is a normal response to an abnormal situation.

• You are not alone. More and more people are experiencing climate anxiety – it means you care.

• Fear for the environment is a sign of empathy, not weakness.

• Climate anxiety needs to be heard, not silenced.

• Anxiety doesn’t have to mean paralysis – it can also be a catalyst for change.

• Even small steps can create a sense of control and help ease climate anxiety.

• Acting together with others reduces feelings of helplessness and increases hope.

• Climate anxiety is not just an individual issue – it’s a societal signal.

• Caring for nature is also caring for yourself.

• Sometimes, you just need to breathe – not save the world right away.

• Strength is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it.

Earth Overshoot Day this year falls on August 1 – but for Estonia, it was already on March 4.

Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity would have used up the planet’s annual ecological budget if everyone on Earth lived like the people of a given country. In other words, Estonia is consuming resources as if we had almost six planets at our disposal.

One might argue that this is because of our oil shale industry. But in 2018, Estonia’s Overshoot Day was March 30 – meaning that our small country’s burden on the planet has been growing year by year, even as we increasingly shift to renewable energy.

So, we too must do everything we can to reduce our resource consumption. That’s why we are dedicating November to reuse and conscious consumption.

Waste prevention starts with design and production – not with the consumer

Many types of waste are generated already during the production process. That’s why it’s crucial to design products and processes in a way that minimizes waste from the outset. Circular economy principles – such as modular design and reusable materials – can significantly reduce the amount of waste produced.

Preventing waste is at least as important as recycling

While recycling plays an important role, it doesn’t fully solve the problems associated with waste. The primary focus should be on preventing waste generation and promoting reuse – not just processing materials after they become waste.

Zero-waste production is a competitive advantage, not a limitation

Companies that can reduce waste and use resources more efficiently tend to be more economically successful and environmentally sustainable. Waste-free solutions can give businesses a strong market edge and open up new business opportunities.

Digital solutions and data-driven approaches help prevent waste

Artificial intelligence, data analytics, and smart manufacturing technologies make it possible to optimize material use, reduce raw material waste, and create more efficient systems. For example, machine learning models can help forecast demand and avoid overproduction.

Regulations and consumer demand are accelerating the shift toward zero-waste solutions

Environmental regulations are becoming increasingly strict, and consumers expect responsible, sustainable solutions. This makes research and development focused on waste prevention more important than ever – for both businesses and policymakers.

We live in the Nordics, and buildings consume half of all energy. It may seem like someone else’s problem – something the average person can’t do much about. It’s true that not everyone is responsible for insulating buildings – but some people are, and they deserve a big round of applause! I myself live in a very drafty Stalin-era building in a heritage area, and in winter, that "heritage" can get pretty uncomfortable.

But what everyone can do is think about saving energy. For example, people often cool rooms or cars to 18°C in summer and heat them to 24°C in winter. Instead, we could embrace the reality of four seasons (while we still have them!) and consider this: in summer, it’s okay to wear lighter clothes, no jacket, short sleeves – and in winter, it’s perfectly fine to pull on some cozy wool socks and a hoodie or sweater.

Everyone can switch off lights and unplug devices they’re not using, or set their fridge a degree or two warmer at home or in the lab. That’s exactly what research groups at the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology did – and it's something we could all try.

Sensible Water Consumption

Water is a limited resource – even though Estonia doesn’t face an acute water shortage, producing clean water still requires energy and resources.

Small steps make a big difference – shorten your shower time, don’t let water run unnecessarily, and use water-saving taps and fixtures.

Food production also uses water – for example, producing 1 kilogram of beef requires approximately 15,000 liters of water.

Reducing Food Waste

One-third of food is wasted – around 30% of all food produced globally is thrown away, while many people go hungry.

Plan consciously – buy only what you can consume, store food properly, and reuse leftovers in new meals.

Food waste = environmental impact – discarded food also means wasted water, energy, and labor.

Reducing Meat Consumption

Meat production has a large footprint – livestock farming accounts for about 14% of all greenhouse gas emissions.

More plants, smaller impact – even just a few meat-free days per week help reduce environmental burden.

Health and variety – increasing plant-based foods helps create a more balanced diet and lowers the risk of chronic diseases.

Study from 2021:

• Households in Estonia generated approximately 83,000 tonnes of food waste per year.

• The total value of this waste: €97.5 million annually (about €180 per year per household, and around €220 in households with children).

• Food waste includes all waste generated from food consumption.

• Food loss refers specifically to edible food that was wasted and could have been eaten.

By reducing food waste, we also reduce the need for food production, energy use, and the consumption of water, fertilizers, and farmland. It also saves costs related to transportation and waste management.

Protecting nature is not just for nature’s sake – it’s essential for human well-being.

Our economic systems and societies rely on ecosystem services. A good example of these services is access to food and water.

The main causes of biodiversity loss are changes to natural habitats driven by intensive agriculture, construction, mining, overexploitation of forests, oceans, rivers, lakes, and soil, invasive alien species, pollution, and increasingly, global climate change.

The European lifestyle depends heavily on the import of resources and goods from around the world, which encourages the unsustainable use of natural resources outside Europe.

Why does movement support mental health?

• Movement releases feel-good hormones – even 20 minutes a day can lift your mood and reduce anxiety.

• When the body moves, the mind calms – physical activity helps quiet overthinking and ease stress.

• Walking in fresh air is free therapy – it improves focus and sleep.

• Regular movement = better sleep – and good sleep supports emotional stability.

• Movement gives physical release to mental tension – excess stress doesn’t stay trapped in the body.

• Time for yourself – movement is a moment to be present and listen to your own needs.

• One step at a time – even short activity creates a sense of control over your life.

• Movement connects – moving together builds support and a sense of belonging.

• Clear your thoughts, get emotions flowing – physical activity helps you process feelings.

• Do your mental health a favor – get moving!