St Andrews University has been urged to stand with universities around the world and declare a climate emergency.
Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling upon the six centuries old institution to take the stance.
Thousands of universities around the globe, including Glasgow University, have already united in making a declaration to the United Nations
Climate Action St Andrews, which staged a demonstration on the West Sands last Friday, has pressed the Fife seat of learning to join them.
Warning that of the possible extinction of humankind, its petition states: “We are at a crossroads in history.
“If we don’t take radical action and make immediate changes to our behaviour, the world as we know it could be lost forever.”
It said students across the globe had come together united by a common goal of looking after the planet and the university must take significant and immediate action to become carbon neutral.
It said:Â “We call on the University of St Andrews to immediately declare a climate emergency.”
The university, however, said it was taking action rather making statements.
A spokeswoman said: “Universities are about solving problems, not just describing them, and simply declaring a climate emergency is just a gesture unless it’s backed up by actions.
“At St Andrews, we prefer to focus on solutions, which is why we invested in our Green Energy Centre at Eden Campus, brought forward plans for a wind farm, are developing options for more solar power, cutting our use of single use plastics, working with partners in Fife on sustainable transport solutions, cutting food waste and supporting world-leading climate change research.
“We applaud all those bringing attention to the climate crisis, but where we can make a real difference is in developing and leading on practical evidence-driven change.”
To coincide with the Global Climate Strike Campaign hundreds of people, including students, university staff, townspeople and children, formed a line on the beach in St Andrews to call for action on climate change.
