A Cumbrian rivers charity is calling on everyone to Act for Eden ahead of COP26 youth and public empowerment day.
On November 5, delegates at COP26 will debate the importance of empowering the public to limit the effects of climate change.
Cumbrian river conservation charity Eden Rivers Trust said it is supporting the approach with its current Act for Eden campaign.
It is a grassroots campaign that calls on everyone, young and old to make a small change to their everyday life that will add up to a big impact for the health of rivers and the planet.
Sam Mason, of Eden Rivers Trust, who is leading the trust’s Act for Eden campaign, said: “The way we live our lives is harming one of the things we rely on, but often take for granted – clean water and healthy rivers.
“They’re essential for food, leisure, health and well-being, yet we’re putting their future at risk by polluting them, turning them into rubbish dumps and treating clean water as an infinite resource.
“Whilst we’re calling on governments at COP26 to clean up their act when it comes to rivers, it’s also down to each and everyone one of us too.
“It’s easy to carry on our daily lives without thinking too deeply about the small things we use or do every day, such as buying drinks that come in single use plastic bottles, flushing wet wipes down the loo or leaving the tap on whilst brushing our teeth.
We’re asking everyone to stop and take a fresh look at their daily routine with the climate crisis in mind as you’ll be surprised at the number of quick, simple things you can change now that our rivers, nature and future generations will thank you for!”
Eden Rivers Trust’s Act for Eden campaign, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is there to give people a helping hand to get started on finding quick, easy and affordable ways to live a more sustainable life for our rivers and planet.
The campaign asks people to make a promise to Act for Eden, choosing from one of ten promises ranging from Ditch the Disposables and Take Shorter Showers to Only Flush the 3Ps and Garden for Eden. There are hints and tips and inspiration on how to keep each promise and the chance for people to share their own successes too.
Sam added: “It may seem daunting to take that first step, ‘how can I make a difference, have you seen the oceans of plastic?’ but since working on the Act for Eden campaign, I have realised that I have the power to stop more plastic ending up in rivers and oceans, and the best time to ditch the disposables is now.
“So, I took that first step. Just two small changes I’ve made – taking a reusable bottle everywhere with me and using replaceable food covers instead of cling film has resulted in over 200 pieces of plastic a year that don’t need to be dealt with or end up accidently polluting rivers. I’m one person – just think what 100, 1,000 or a million people could do!”
