Students want more environmental focus from politicians: "Can get more involved"

For the sixth year in a row, students from schools in Umeå were given the opportunity to meet people from municipal politics and business to inspire and challenge a more sustainable development in the municipality.

"I think the politicians can get more involved, but it's very good that they come out here and listen to what we have to say," says Hamoodi Albeiruti, who is in ninth grade at Ålidhemsskolan.

During the day, the students showed their innovations to contribute to a more environmentally conscious municipality. The focus for this year was sustainability in everyday life, with the question - "Sustainable where we live, but how then?".

Hamoodi has, together with some classmates, devised a "hub system". A “hub” is a place where the population can meet to borrow, rent and share things instead of buying new, thus reducing consumption.

- There will be fishing rods, fishing lines and bath mattresses in the small hubs on the water. And in the bigger hubs, there will be more expensive things like electric bikes and electric scooters, Hamoodi says.

Municipal Councilor Janet Ågren (S), who was present during the day, also believes in the idea.

- It's good for your own private economy, but it's also good for the environment. There are a number of sharing services today, but of course we want more. This is an industry where a lot will happen in the future, so I think the students are something on the track.