Page 45 - ELG2102 Feb Issue 474

IMATE BY SANU A S FROM PIXABAY OUT FEATURES & COMMENT
OF THE

BOX

Doing the right

thing by our planet

International House is improving
sustainability across their global network,
says Giuliana Faldetta

The words people use tell others if they feel part a group or not We all know that our human
activity has a significant
impact on the environment.
Obituary From polluting rivers and seas,
cutting down forests, dumping
plastics into the oceans and
A fond farewell to the man causing climate change through
the generation of greenhouse
who called for change gasses, we accept that
something must be done.
Mark Krzanowski crash-landed into the With over 5,000 teachers
Gazette in the early noughties. “A bloke and 200,000 students around
at Westminster Uni has invited us to a the world, International
conference with a bunch of ministers from House (IH) is urging all staff 5. Setting sustainability
Africa,” said our news editor. “Should I go?” and students in its schools requirements for suppliers.
From then on, Mark became a fixture to protect our planet, 6. Managing a sustainability
in the Gazette firmament, an intermittent correspondent following the recently strategy.
bringing the latest news from the furthest corners of launched IH Enverionmental It’s also encouraging people
the ELT world; an instant source of information on all Sustainability Scheme. in all IH schools to:
things EAP (English for academic purposes); a jolly, noisy, Many IH schools are already 1. Reduce travel and offset its
enthusiastic companion in a flamboyant bow tie who taking positive action, such negative aspects.
livened up the most tedious of academic conferences. as encouraging sustainable 2. Reduce energy
Just before Christmas he wrote offering a piece on his behaviour, reducing waste and consumption.
latest passion: teaching EAP online. We wrote to say yes, mitigating the polluting effects 3. Reduce use of consumables.
but heard no more – until we learned from his publisher of travel. This is welcome 4. Re-use and recycle where
at Garnet that Mark Krzanowsk had died on 19 January in and acknowledged, and every possible.
Tema, Ghana, after a short illness. He was 57. IH school, and its staff and 5. Reduce water consumption.
With me he always talked about his future. Should he try students, is encouraged to 6. Reduce the environmental
for this job? What did I think of that one? Should he take go further than they have footprint of new school
this job in China? And to China he went, initially with the before to take positive steps buildings and facilities.
University of Surrey and then in his most recent job, with to incorporate environmental Centrally, IH is providing
Brunel, and loved it. He talked little about his past, nothing sustainability in their everyday academic resources, ideas and
about his early years, apart from the fact that he was Polish. behaviour and reduce the suggestions, and will be sharing
We know he spoke Russian, but only because he resorted negative effects they have on innovative initiatives among all
to it in an interview he did for us with a Cuban teacher of the environment. its schools.
limited English. IH’s Environmental IH is ambitious for the role
Before he arrived at the University of Westminster, he Sustainability Scheme covers that International House will
worked in EAP for many of London’s big names: UCL, the six themes of: have within the languages
Goldmiths, the University of the Arts, the London School 1. Educating students industry and is looking forward
of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.... He published endless about environmental to making a difference.
papers, edited the IATEFL Journal ‘Professional and Academic sustainability.
English’ and, in 2020, started a PhD on South African 2. Encouraging sustainable Giuliana Faldetta
English. He wrote a book on tertiary education in Sudan behaviour. is Brand
called Time for a Change. 3. Increasing community Engagement
Mark was a whirlwind for change both personally and involvement. and Marketing
professionally; a man of ideas and passions and infectious 4. Setting a sustainable food Coordinator at International
laughter. Our lives will be emptier for his passing. supply policy. House World Organisation.
Melanie Butler

editorial@elgazette.com 45