Valentine’s Day offers the chance to declare affection for someone close to your heart – and it’s stressful, and delightful, for that very reason. But as Cat Turner of Christian Aid discovers, there’s a lot more to it than that
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As I write this, Valentine’s Day draws close.
Personally, it’s not a big deal – nobody special I have my eye on, and (as far as I know) none with their’s on me.
My best beloveds are my daughters and my friends, and that’s absolutely fine.
Climate Reality sees things differently.
This year, they’re ‘declaring love for the most treasured things in our lives – the Earth’.
They’re campaigning on this, because, as they say, climate change affects the world.
It’s certainly affected our island, though less than that in some countries.
They’ve set up a project, with (for the Twitterati) the hashtag #ShowTheLove, telling world leaders that people, of all sorts, want action – and now.
The campaign’s backed up by a film-ette, penned by Michael Morpurgo of WarHorse (and much more) fame and starring Jeremy Irons.
You can find it online at showthelove.org.uk/video.html
One way to get involved – and it won’t cost a penny – is to make a green heart.
This represents a Valentine to the world, telling it and decisionmakers that we know what we want, what we love, and it’s not a depleted planet with dying biodiversity and struggling people.
Schools and churches around the world are sending the message by making and sending green hearts.
There are some great ideas at fortheloveof.org.uk/show-the-love-green-hearts/
The main point is that it’s not red and soppy (nothing wrong with red and soppy, I’d be glad of one myself!).
Instead, it’s green and soppy, about our lovely Earth and all she gives us. Everything. Let’s not forget it. Clean air, water, food, beauty, health and joy. Sounds like a candidate for love to me!
More personally, here are two pictures taken by Catherine and Lizzie, my little climate campaigners, who worked on their hearts this week.
Catherine says there’s no earthly reason why a heart must be ‘right way up’ so her’s allows the maximum number of trees/owls possible.
Will you send the planet some love?
If so, please upload them to #ShowTheLove and let our leaders know we care, even if they don’t!