Canary Craftivists

Image: All images courtesy of the Craftivist Collective

The Craftivist Collective is, as the name suggests, an inclusive collective of people committed to using thoughtful, beautiful crafted works to help themselves and encourage others to be the positive change they wish to see in the world. Since 2009, the Craftivist Collective has helped change laws, policies, hearts and minds around the world with quiet, compassionate and visually attractive activism using handicrafts. Now, the Collective has launched a new initiative: Canary Craftivists — a climate campaign that takes a positive and gentle approach to climate activism. 

The #CanaryCraftivists project needs the help of creative crafters who want to show the UK government and media that a diverse community is concerned about the climate crisis and want faster, greater action to be taken to tackle it. 

It’s a crucial time for climate campaigning with the UN Climate Conference COP26 attended by world leaders being held in Glasgow this November and hosted by the UK Government. Carbon emissions need cutting drastically and bolder action from politicians is more important than ever before. The Canary Craftivists want to seize this opportunity and encourage the UK Government to show leadership in their important role at COP26 through this unique campaign.

Over the summer, the initiative will be staging intriguing and crafty gatherings at much-loved and recognisable landmarks around the UK to gain local media attention and keep the climate conversation in local news this summer. Then, after the summer recess they’ll be sending MPs small, handmade canary gifts to provide a thought-provoking and gentle reminder to do more for our world’s welfare and ask the UK Prime minister to be bolder in his climate commitments. 

The yellow canary has become the symbol of this quiet and humble movement. Often called ‘colleagues’ in years gone by, they used to accompany coal miners below ground and give warning signals when the air was too toxic to work in. Just as canaries were effective warning signs then, the #CanaryCraftivists protest will be a kind, encouraging warning for Members of Parliament now. It will remind them that they can help nature, wildlife and humans flourish before it’s too late.

From making yellow capes and gathering as a small flock of craftivists, to crafting yellow canaries for MPs, readers keen to get involved with #CanaryCraftivists can find out more on the Craftivist Collective website.