Text Ning Fan
PhD candidates explain their most thought-provoking proposition. This time it’s Elien Versteegen, who received her PhD on 23 May. Her study was about the effects of psychopharmaceuticals on the behaviour of aquatic organisms.
‘We should all do our best to make sustainable choices, but those choices aren’t a reason to judge others or feel morally superior. Thinking you make better choices than others won’t motivate or inspire anyone else to live sustainably; it’s just judging.
‘These days, there’s often subtle pressure to make the “right” choices. But we have to acknowledge that not everyone has the same resources. Financial limitations, geography and social inequalities all affect your ability to make sustainable choices. As a PhD candidate, I had a salary and flexible holidays, so it was easier to take the train, which is often a more time-consuming and costly option compared to flying. But for students or people with fewer resources, that choice isn’t always easy or possible. But that doesn’t mean that they care less about the environment.
‘To me, sustainability isn’t just one action like taking the train. It’s a broader way of living that is also shaped by intention and circumstance. The point isn’t to compare or judge, as this can alienate people and drive them apart. The goal should be to inspire, not to judge. Sympathetic conversations are a great way to exchange ideas and encourage others to explore sustainable choices.’
