‘Climate change affects us all, BIG and small’
An A-Z of climate change by Beth Richards
One of our Bristol-based creative writers, Beth Richards, has produced a wonderful, illustrated A-Z of Climate Change, which she has called ‘Climate Change Affects Us All… BIG and small’!
In this post, we have written out the key messages, poems and tips that Beth shares in the A-Z, as well as some photos of the drawings within it that bring it alive.
Beth has also shared a digital version that can be accessed online as both a poster and a slide show.
Beth is an actor and a poet, who works to make things fair and more inclusive for people with learning disabilities. One way she does this is with a theatre company, called the Misfits based in Bristol. They take complicated topics and break them down into easy but powerful messages in plays, films and poetry. Beth has been described as an “activist, a voice for change” with a strong focus on the environment.
Beth’s passion for the environment – and the need for governments and people in power to do more to look after it – really shines through this A-Z.
We hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we have!
Image caption: Beth’s A-Z of Climate Change
A: Airplane
Airplane, airplane, up
In the sky
Rising over the horizon
Pollution in the air
Let’s find another solution
Animals are dying
Nature is crying
Everyone should be trying to stop global warming!
B: Bees
Yellow, black, fluffy and round,
Bees buzz about, barely making a sound.
Pollinating plants, helping flowers to grow.
Do we want a world without bees? Absolutely no!
Bees making delicious honey; so smooth, so sticky, so scrummy yummy!
C: Cars
Cars with petrol is a no no.
They are bad for nature and us you know.
Electric is better at reducing fuels burning
Come on everyone, let’s improve our learning!
D: Dolphins
Dolphins, whales and underwater creatures are our friends.
Stop polluting and netting our waters, or dolphins will come to an end!
E: Elephants
Big strong Elephants,
Majestic in their movements.
Poaching them is bad
Please stop harming our gentle giants.
F: Flowers
For every
Lovely flower,
Our
World is for
Ever beautiful. Flowers
Really are very
Special.
Image caption: The A-Z entry for ‘F’, flowers
G: Greenhouse gases
Greenhouse gases trapping heat in the air.
I’m so very worried, do you not care?
H: Humans
As HUMANS, we have the responsibility to protect our Earth. Yet here we are – not recognising its worth. Let’s all come together and protest, because Mother Nature really is simply the best!
I: Ice caps
Ice caps are melting, that is true.
I wouldn’t want to be a polar bear sat on it… would you?
Image caption: The A-Z entry for ‘I’, ice caps
J: Jungle
It’s a jungle out there
Bugs, birds and beasties.
Some are even rare,
You can’t see them elsewhere.
So let’s save our jungles!
K: Koala bears
Koala bears up high in the trees,
Munching away through eucalyptus leaves.
Close to extinction.
Can you believe it?
Image caption: The A-Z entry for ‘K’, koala bears
L: Life
Look at what you’re doing. Can you do more?
If the answer is yes, then please make some changes.
For one small change, step by step.
Eventually we might undo the damage.
M: Monkeys
We swing up in the trees
Being free, so we ask you please
Don’t cut down our home!
N: Nature
No reason to damage our planet
Are we willing to learn?
Treat our animals / plants with respect
U have a
Responsibility
Every little helps 😊
O: Ozone layer
Ozone layer is a protective shield around the Earth. By burning lots of gases and fossil fuels, we are creating a hole in the layer. If this gets worse, it will become very dangerous and we will overheat. We need to think more about the damage we are causing.
P: Pollution
Pollution
Leaking oil, harming
Animals in the
Sea.
Terrible, we need to
Immediately
Change for the better.
Q: Quick!
QUICK, LET’S ACT NOW!!!
R: Rubbish
You’re rubbish for destroying our world!
S: Something has to change
Something has to change for the better.
We need more solar panels, wind turbines and electric cars!
T: Trees
Trees matter. They can communicate with one another, don’t you know, and help to give us oxygen. Trees matter!
Image caption: The A-Z entry for ‘T’, trees
U:
U need to take responsibility to help reduce climate change!
V: Very…
… EXTREME WEATHER!!!
W: Water
Water is RISING. What are we going to do about it?
X: X-ray
If you X-rayed our planet, you’d find broken bones.
Image caption: The A-Z entry for ‘X’, x-ray
Y: Yellows
Yellows, oranges and blues
Nature creating artwork all around yous,
Colours, smells and even taste, let’s not destroy it - for that would be a waste.
Let’s protect and maintain our wonderful climate!
Z: Zero
ZERO TOLERANCE for
1. Burning fossil fuels
2. Deforestation
3. Farming livestock
4. Producing food harmfully
5. Consuming too much
6. Manufacturing goods.