How to Take Part in Greenpeace Day This Year

Every year on Greenpeace Day, people around the world reflect on one of the most influential movements in environmental history. But this isn’t just a day for nostalgia, it’s a call to action. As a university student, you’re in a powerful position to be part of that movement.

It doesn’t just have to be the green minded politics students that get involved either, everybody is a part of the fight towards better environmental protection. You can take small, yet meaningful steps today and moving forward to support a greener future.

This guide breaks down how you can participate in Greenpeace Day this year, with practical ideas that work around your student schedule and budget.

What is Greenpeace Day and Why Does it Matter?

Greenpeace Day is celebrated every year on 15th September to commemorate the day of the original Greenpeace activists setting sail from Vancouver in 1971 to protest against nuclear testing. Since then, the organisation has become a global leader in environmental advocacy and pushing international stakeholders to take action.

Today, Greenpeace continues to campaign for and against some of the world’s more important issues, including:

• The continued exploitation of fossil fuels.
• Climate Change.
• Deforestation and biodiversity loss.
• Ocean conservation and plastic usage.
• Sustainability in food, energy, and much more.

Why should students care? Because your generation will be most affected by the decisions made today. As students, you also benefit from access to educational resources that much of the world’s population does not. Previous generations could only dream of the inter-connected student lifestyle we benefit from today, and Greenpeace Day is your opportunity to turn these advantages into action.

Organise or Attend a Campus Event

One of the most direct ways to get involved is through your university. Greenpeace Day is a natural catalyst for student focussed activities and initiatives. Even if you’ve never organised anything before, this is a good place to start.

Here are a few ideas that would work on most campuses:

Host a Sustainability Talk

Set up an awareness stall in your student union or outside the library. Offer reusable freebies like tote bags or metal straws, and share facts about climate justice and everyday impact.

Make sure to ask your SU or university whether this is permitted though, as you don’t want to break any rules.

Run a Climate Justice Panel

Invite lecturers, local activists, or notable alumni working in green industries to talk about practical pathways into sustainability related careers.

Film Screenings and Debates

There are plenty of great documentaries you can watch on Greenpeace Day, including Chasing Ice, and This Changes Everything. Follow your watch along with a discussion on the topics covered and whether students can do anything to help.

Take Creative Action

Art based activism is very popular and thought provoking. Try painting a picture of an issue close to your heart and display it in your window. If you’re part of an environmentally focussed society, you may even be able to have your work displayed in exhibitions around campus.

Get Involved with Greenpeace UK

Beyond what you can do on campus, consider becoming a member of Greenpeace themselves. There are multiple entry points, many designed with students in mind.

Ways to support: 

• Join a Local Greenpeace Group: These exist in many cities and towns, often near universities. You don’t need experience, just commitment to the cause.
• Sign a Petition: It may seem small, but petitions often support larger legal and political efforts. Greenpeace regularly campaigns to stop oil drilling, ban harmful chemicals, and hold the government accountable.
• Volunteer Digitally: Help with social media campaigns, data entry, or community moderation. This is especially useful if you’re on the road to becoming a politician or public service worker.

👉 Visit Greenpeace UK to learn how you can join the fight for environmental justice today.

Adapt Your Student Lifestyle

Taking part in Greenpeace Day doesn’t have to mean protesting or organising high profile events. Sometimes, the most powerful changes are the ones we make to our own daily routine. Try reducing your environmental footprint by making a few simple adaptations to your life:

Energy

• Turn off devices when you aren’t using them, making sure not to leave them on standby mode.
• Try out some handheld solar powered chargers.

Food

• Start by trying a Meatless Monday. This is because the meat industry is a major contributor to emissions and habitat destruction.
• Support local farmers by buying your fresh produce from them, or choosing organic options in the supermarket.
• Avoid products that are wrapped in excessive packaging.

Shopping

• Buy from second hand websites or local charity shops when possible.
• Avoid ‘fast fashion’ options in favour of sustainable choices.
• Embrace the mentally of repairing broken items by learning skills like sewing and crocheting.

Transport

• Walk or cycle whenever possible.
• Use student railcards or car share apps for travel.
• Avoid flying domestically if you can.

These small changes to your lifestyle may not feel like they make much of an impact, however when you scale them among hundreds of students, they can create localised change.

Influence Policy at Your University

As some of the leading institutions in the world, universities have a responsibility to act sustainably. Greenpeace Day is a great opportunity to push your institution to make changes that reflect modern student values (if they haven’t already).

Ask the Big Questions

• Has your university diversified the fuels they use?
• Is your cafeteria offering more vegetarian and vegan meals?
• Does your sustainability policy include targets with realistic timeframes?
• Are staff and students being involved in shaping climate strategy?

Attend any meetings with sustainability officers to voice any concerns or ideas you may have. Make sure to be respectful of your universities efforts though, as most are doing their best to work towards a greener future for their students.

Use Your Voice (And Make it Count)

Social Media and other online platforms are powerful tools, but only when used in the right ways. Greenpeace Day sees a surge in awareness posts, but meaningful impacts come from engaging in a thoughtful manner.

How to Share Your Experience

• Post after you’ve taken part in something. Show real action.
• Highlight the reasons why a particular cause matters to you.
• Tag relevant organisations, hashtags, and share useful resources, such as how to sign up to Greenpeace. 
• Avoid conflict by speaking generally and not inviting abuse.

6. Educate Yourself and Others

If you’re serious about sustainability, deepen your knowledge beyond what’s trending. Greenpeace campaigns are grounded in science, policy, and legal frameworks. Understanding these gives your actions more credibility and confidence.

Start by reading and watching as much content as possible, to give yourself the best possible understanding of the issues you plan to tackle. You can also join online courses or seminar, it’s worth checking if there are any additional qualifications you can take relating to sustainability. For example, at Nottingham Trent University you can earn the ‘Sustainability in Practice’ certificate by taking part in a free course.

Remember, knowledge is power.

Think Beyond Greenpeace Day

Greenpeace Day is an opportunity to look back on the history of conservation, but it’s also designed to encourage us to look to the future. Ask yourself what kind of world you want to live in? And how can you work towards realising it?

• Join a sustainable career network, especially if you’re a recent graduate.
• Apply for internships or volunteer in relevant fields.
• Vote in national and local elections.

Environmental action is something that requires long term commitment, and a strong mindset. The earlier you adopt it, the better equipped you’ll be to make a difference.

This is Your Moment

As a university student, you don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to start with one action, then another, and so on. Whether that’s joining a campaign, changing your diet, educating others, or lobbying for better campus policy, you have the power to influence systems and shift perspectives.

💡 Ready to take the next step?

Discover where you’ll be enjoying your Greenpeace Day activities from. 

Happy Greenpeace Day! You don’t need to do everything, but just some small actions can play a role in changing the world.