Show the Love for Nature

Every year around Valentine’s Day, hundreds of thousands of people join in the Climate Coalition's #ShowTheLove campaign for the places, people and life that we want to protect from climate change.

'Home Truths', a new report from the Climate Coalition shows that we can future proof our homes and make them cosier, greener and cheaper to run. To help us get there though, government needs to ensure that all new homes are compatible with a net zero emissions target, help homeowners to make their houses more energy-efficient and improve flood defences in vulnerable areas. 

If you're looking for inspiration on how to reduce your contribution to climate change, you could take the Climate Coalition's quiz, which is designed to help you choose a pledge (or two).

There are many ways to get involved in the campaign, but central to the ethos is the symbolism of the Green Heart. People across the UK and no doubt elsewhere craft green hearts to wear, share and display! You can see the green hearts that I've made in previous years in this post from last year.

It's also important to campaign on both a local and national (and indeed international) level. Many organisations co-ordinate campaigns to save nature and act on environmental issues. You can campaign by joining in demonstrations and other actions or by taking part in online campaigns (as I do with the Woodland Trust on this blog and other organisations too, whose campaigns I often share on social media).

It's also great to get involved with practical conservation volunteering if you've got the time, energy and ability. I love volunteering with Water of Leith Conservation Trust, which looks after one of Edinburgh's rivers. The trust offers a large variety of volunteering tasks ranging from dragging shopping trolleys out of the river to acting as a visitor centre receptionist.

But most important of all in many ways is to get out there and enjoy nature! Visit your local green spaces regularly, take photos, record the wildlife you see and enjoy the fresh air and birdsong.

Figgate Pond, Figgate Park, Edinburgh