Manchester city centre is hosting a textile exhibition across multiple venues raising awareness of climate change over the next month.
The Loving Earth Project exhibition takes place from Friday 28 October to Saturday 26 November across multiple venues in Manchester.
Quakers started the Loving Earth Project in Glasgow in 2019 to prepare for COP26 in 2021 and many countries have since contributed.
Visitors can view panels made to engage with climate breakdown at St Mary’s Church, Manchester Central Library, St Ann’s Church, Central Manchester Quaker Meeting House, Cross Street Unitarian Chapel and Methodist Central Buildings.
Valerie Clark, event co-organiser, expressed the importance of the exhibition for visitors across Manchester.
Speaking exclusively to Mancunian Matters, she said: “It’s about alerting people to the climate issue which is becoming a crisis.
“If we don’t do something about it, what’s going to happen to the world?
“We’re too comfortable right now and we don’t realise how difficult it’s going to be in the future, we need to learn to adjust.”
Clark revealed the days of experimenting and planning it took to prepare for the exhibition, which were overcome with one goal in mind.
She said: “We want people to think about what they can change in their lives and they might start campaigning or talk to others to spread the word.”
Two hundred panels were made by participants to represent aspects of the world which we appreciate and to reflect the things in the world we want to pass on to future generations – they are also a form of protest against destruction of our world.
Panels are mostly hand-made using fabric, ribbon, paper, buttons and other materials.
Over 70 from the community sewing project will be showcased across six of Manchester’s historic buildings – a selection of these shown at COP26.
The exhibition will coincide with COP27 which runs from 6 to 18 November in Egypt, with heads of state, ministers and climate activists attending to take action on the climate emergency.
Each day has a specific theme which includes finance, science, oceans and future generations – with the aim being to move away from negotiations to implementation.
Each panel displayed in different locations is presented beside an explanation from the maker about where their inspiration came from.
‘Bee safe’, a panel displayed in Manchester Central Library, was based on the effects of Neonicotinoid pesticides on bees and insects, with the artist providing solutions such as planting areas of wild flowers and bee friendly shrubs.
Another piece titled ‘Danger of Flooding’ was inspired by prevalent flooding and increasingly common extreme weather conditions, and solutions provided include replanting paved front gardens as well as acting locally.
Cards are also on display next to pieces, where visitors can write their responses to questions including, ‘How will climate change and environmental breakdown affect something you love?’ and ‘What will you do to help?’.
Loving Earth greeting cards and alphabet booklets will also be on sale at the Central Library, Central Manchester Quaker Meeting House and St Mary’s Church.
Main image: Loving Earth Project Exhibition, photo by Allison Challen
