Hearing about the slow death of the planet can be pretty depressing.
It’s easy to feel helpless – of course, climate change is awful, but what can we do to help?
Well, that’s where we come in.
We’ve found the best upcoming events for your very own eco diaries, from an international celebration of polar bears to a nocturnal embrace of the stars.
No more excuses…
The Climate Coalition
Remember the American environmentalist cartoon Captain Planet? Well, like the Planeteers, the Climate Coalition is going to take pollution ‘down to zero’ (and with far less spandex).
The coalition of more than 140 organisations, from the National Trust to Oxfam, holds an annual Show The Love campaign.
Every February it tasks an army of climate craftivists to make a green heart and send it to their local MP to inspire action on climate. Get involved by baking a heart, creating a fabric heart (as taught by Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant) or simply sending the cut-out-and-post card included in the downloadable community pack.
Find out more on the Climate Coalition website.
International Polar Bear Day
On February 27 raise your awareness of the issues facing the mighty (and terrifying) polar bear.
Coinciding with the annual gathering of polar bears on the shores of Hudson Bay in Canada (the polar bear capital of the world) they’re an animal worthy of our time: the Hudson Bay bear population has dropped by 30% since the 1980s.
These animals are up against it and Polar Bear Day encourages us to appreciate and engage. Tune into the polar bear live cams, participate in online activities or watch a series of scientific webcasts called the Tundra Connections.
Find out more at Polar Bears International.
Fairtrade fortnight
At Cop26 campaigners joined 1.8 million Fairtrade farmers in backing the Be Fair With Your Climate Promise challenge to world leaders.
Unfortunately, once again the richer nations bottled it, delaying their promised $100billion annual fund until 2023. Don’t let them off the hook.
For two weeks every year in February and March (this year, February 21 to March 6) shoppers and businesses come together to support producers on the front line of climate change and shine a solarpowered light on the power of Fairtrade.
Join up and take part in online and offline events — from panels to coffee mornings or simply commit to shop Fairtrade for the fortnight.
Dark Skies Festivals
Celebrate a world without light pollution by turning your head to the sky this month.
The annual Dark Skies Festivals, hosted across numerous observatories in Northumberland, Cumbria and Yorkshire, supplement your Big Dipper sightings with factoids on other constellations, the history and folklore of the stars, and the nocturnal activities that take place under them.
Their events programme will also have you doing everything from rock pooling in the dark and moonlit zip wires to art workshops and astrophotography, while highlighting the ongoing problem with light pollution and artificial light — the major drivers of the ‘insect apocalypse’. Don’t forget your cardigan.
Find out more on Dark Skies National Parks.
Our Broken Planet
The Natural History Museum’s free exhibition started last year and stays until the summer. The premise is simple enough: 40 objects reveal how humans have transformed (or broken) the natural world.
The third and final theme, which started in September, explores the impact of our climate emergency on the planet and its people – but also, more positively, ways in which we’re learning to repair the damage we’ve done.
Kids and adults alike will learn everything from the real price of sugar and why the Tasmanian tiger was made extinct to what studying whale earwax has taught us about sea pollution.
Find out more on the Natural History Museum website.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
MORE : Sustainable dog food could help offset the environmental cost of having a pet
MORE : Kids aren’t being taught about climate change properly, say unions
Metro.co.uk’s #Just1Change campaign
During COP26 and beyond, we will be sharing stories, ideas, and advice about one common theme: The climate crisis.
At a time when the weight of environmental issues feels very heavy and overwhelming, our aim is to deliver content that will not only inform and educate but also offer hope and inspiration.
Here are some of our #Just1Change highlights so far:
var fbApiInit = false; var awaitingReady = [];
var notifyQ = function () { var i = 0, l = awaitingReady.length; for (i = 0; i < l; i++) { awaitingReady[i](); } }; var ready = function (cb) { if (fbApiInit) { cb(); } else { awaitingReady.push(cb); } }; var checkLoaded = function () { return fbApiInit; }; window.fbAsyncInit = function () { FB.init({ appId: '176908729004638', xfbml: true, version: 'v2.10' }); fbApiInit = true; notifyQ(); }; return { 'ready' : ready, 'loaded' : checkLoaded }; })(); (function () { function injectFBSDK() { if ( window.fbApi && window.fbApi.loaded() ) return; var d = document, s="script", id = 'facebook-jssdk'; var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) { return; } js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async = true; js.src = "https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); } if ( !document.body.classList.contains('image-share-redesign') && 'object' === typeof metro ) { window.addEventListener('metro:scroll', injectFBSDK, {once: true}); } else { window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', injectFBSDK, {once: true}); } })();
For all the latest Lifestyle News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
