A set of nine artworks depict why the people of Scotland care about the climate and nature emergency.
This is part of a climate change campaign that has gathered support from people around Scotland to send a message to leaders attending COP26 in Glasgow.
Climate Scotland has collected over 7,000 voices from across the nation, to show that the people of Scotland want meaningful action to protect the things they love, and create a better future for people everywhere.
Nine new mural artworks have been created to depict the messages of the people of Scotland gathered so far, and are on display at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens during COP26.
The UN climate summit COP26 is a major opportunity to re-energise efforts to tackle the climate emergency.
Through this campaign, everyone in Scotland has the opportunity to show how much they care about the climate and nature emergencies. The messages gathered online have been shared in the COP26 Green Zone and at the Scottish Government space at The Lighthouse, Glasgow.
Individuals visiting the Climate Scotland website are able to add their voice to the campaign by selecting a theme that is most relevant to them or by writing their own reason. The themes cover a broad range of perspectives, which are depicted in the artwork:
- Flourishing communities
- Future generations
- Greener, fairer livelihoods
- Wildlife and nature
- Sustainable food systems
- Protecting the world’s resources
- Health and wellbeing
- Beautiful places
- Solidarity with global neighbours.
Ida Henrich, a freelance illustrator and mural artist based in Glasgow, said:
“Alongside Kaitlin Mechan and Indrė Šimkutė, I am thrilled to have created these artworks for Climate Scotland. I believe that murals start conversations, and chats about topics we care about, often reveal that other people also care. I’m proud of the artworks we have created and can’t wait to share them with the public.”
Over 40 non-profit organisations, including WWF Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Christian Aid Scotland and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), have come together to create the Climate Scotland campaign.
Anna Fowlie, chief executive at SCVO, said:
“Thousands of Scots have spoken out about why climate change matters to them. They recognise that strong action is essential for Scotland’s nature, our health and wellbeing, and for future generations. SCVO is proud to be part of Climate Scotland, showcasing these messages in Glasgow during COP26 and demanding climate justice now.”
Aedán Smith, Head of Policy and Advocacy RSPB Scotland, said:
“1 in 9 species in Scotland is at risk of extinction. We must address this by protecting and restoring nature, increasing access to nature for everyone and making decisions that support nature, our climate and people. The Climate Scotland campaign is a way for people in Scotland to show how much they care about these things.”
Sally Foster-Fulton, Head of Christian Aid Scotland, said:
“The Climate Scotland campaign is a fantastic opportunity for people in Scotland to show leaders and decision-makers that they care about our global neighbours. We stand together against the climate crisis, raising our voice as one to create lasting change and to ensure that communities are equipped to adapt and respond to the impacts of climate change.”
To add your voice to the campaign, visit climatescotland.org.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
About Climate Scotland
- Climate Scotland is a campaign to demonstrate to leaders that many people in Scotland want strong and meaningful action to tackle the climate and nature emergency. It is a sister campaign to another running in Wales, Climate Cymru. Together, they represent voices from two of the four UK nations and their devolved governments.
- Over 40 organisations have partnered together for the campaign. Three of those organisations have been quoted in this release:
- SCVO is Scotland’s membership and support body for charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations.
- The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home and secure a healthy environment for wildlife.
- Christian Aid Scotland supports individuals, partners and churches to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty.
- Watch a video with a selection of messages gathered
- Read a selection of messages and voices from the campaign
- More information can be found online and on social media:
About the artworks
During COP26, the artworks are on display at the RSPB Glasgow to Globe space, near the herb garden, at Glasgow Botanic Gardens. The images are supplied by each artist.
View all the artworks and find out more about the inspiration behind them here.
Further images are available here.
About the artists
Ida Henrich
Ida Henrich is a freelance illustrator and mural artist based in Glasgow. Her work colourfully and energetically explores narrative, image and humour. She is particularly interested in projects discussing social, environmental and economic issues. Ida graduated from Communication Design at the Glasgow School of Art in 2017 and has since been working on projects with clients in the UK and abroad.
Pronouns: She/her.
Follow Ida on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or visit her website.
Indrė Šimkutė
Indrė is a Glasgow based visual artist who graduated from Illustration at the Glasgow school of Art in 2018. Indrė’s work is rooted in a sense of play and childlike curiosity when approaching colour and composition. At the moment she is particularly interested in foraging, local herbalism and making art that celebrates plant life and ecology.
Pronouns: She/they.
Follow Indrė on Instagram or visit their website.
Kaitlin Mechan
Kaitlin Mechan is a freelance illustrator based in Glasgow. She graduated from the Glasgow School of Art with a degree in Communication Design specialising in Illustration. Her illustration style uses a combination of pencil, collaged paper and digital drawings to create bright and colourful artwork. Her portfolio contains a wide range of work from editorial illustrations, to marketing materials to wall murals.
Pronouns: She/her.
