Time to Grow
Painting for the planet on World Environment Day 06th June 2019
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On World Environment Day 2019, Tree Aid took over Bristol’s iconic College Green with the help of Professor Alice Roberts, Badminton School and 300 members of the public, to spread the word that now is the TIME to act, to re-green the planet and slow down the effects of climate change.
Time to paint. Time to act. Time to grow. Tree Aid celebrated World Environment Day by encouraging the people of Bristol to transform our white ‘TIME’ sculpture by painting on their own green sapling of hope. The collaborative art piece sent a powerful message that now is the time to act, to re-green the planet and slow down climate change – now is the time to grow.
Painting hope with Professor Alice Roberts
One of our amazing contributing artists was none other than Bristol’s very own television presenter, Professor Alice Roberts. As a passionate environmentalist, Alice talked about why now is the time to act.
“I think climate change is perhaps the biggest challenge that is facing humanity this century and that’s not over egging it, this is what the global risk report says. Sometimes these huge challenges can just feel too vast to grasp but it’s all about making a global impact by acting locally.”
Alice, a dedicated supporter of Tree Aid, talked about why she chose to support our match-funded appeal, “There is a brilliant campaign called She Grows which is supporting women in the drylands of Africa to use products of trees and generate an income for themselves.
“It’s about environmentalism, it’s about gender equality, it’s about tackling poverty.”
We were also joined by students from Badminton School, including their student Environmental Officers, Lottie and Daisy. They believe that getting young people engaged with their environment is vital in combating climate change. Lottie said, “We think that if they can build habits from such a young age then they are more likely to do it subconsciously when they are older. For example recycling; if they learn it now, then it will be better for the future.”
Badminton School also chose to support Tree Aid’s match-funded appeal at their summer fete. Daisy talks about why they are excited to support the She Grows appeal, “We’re an all-girls school and we think that what [Tree Aid] do is great, especially with women in Africa – teaching and empowering them with what they can do with trees and how they can utilise them in many ways. We can support them and also empower women outside of our school and our community in Bristol.”
300 artists took action for the climate crisis
The day was a huge success, with over 300 members of the public getting stuck in with the art, but none of this would have been possible without the help of Bristol-based artist, Jay Roerade, who worked with Bristol Design Forge to create ‘TIME’. We would also like to thank Bristol Wood Recycling Project for supplying us with 100% reclaimed wood for the sculpture.
Jay said, “I came up with the idea of writing the word TIME because time is running out. Creativity brings people together. Collaborative live art is a simple and effective way of raising awareness and communicating a clear message.”
Joining forces with 1,000 women in Mali
International Development Minister, Baroness Sugg, said, “It’s fantastic to see Tree Aid calling on the people of Bristol to come together and mark World Environment Day with such an ambitious and creative project.
“By empowering women across Mali to farm and manage the forest around them the She Grows appeal will both protect the environment and lift these women out of poverty by giving them their own income. I am proud that UK aid is backing the appeal; this partnership means that every pound the British public generously donate will go twice as far.”
The finished art piece, ‘TIME’, was then moved to Queen Square for the Festival of Nature where more budding young artists contributed, and it is now housed at Badminton School.
