Eco-action date added to diary O
fficials at climatechange charity Size of Wales will be working over the next few months to make October 13 a real day of impact.
That is the day that schools and businesses across Wales will be invited to join a national day of action by going green - dubbed Go Green day.
There should be some strange sights on the day, from people wearing green socks, wigs and face paints, baking green cakes and taking green action such as walking to work.
Pupils, employees and anyone else will be encouraged to join hundreds of people across Wales to raise funds to tackle climate change by helping to protect an area of tropical forest twice the size of Wales.
The world’s rainforests absorb around a fifth of the world’s man-made carbon dioxide emissions and Size of Wales aims to raise awareness of the importance of rainforest protection, as part of the national response to climate change.
Size of Wales director, Claire Raisin, said: “Lots of schools and businesses sign up to Go Green each year and undertake a range of activities to raise funds and awareness, from non-uniform days to bake sales.
“Many people come up with their own creative and fantastic greenthemed fundraising ideas, which we are always happy to hear about and share with others.
“We already have strong support in Swansea and recently spent the day with staff at Admiral Insurance.
“We also have avid runner Craig Hughes from Swansea who will embark on his challenge of running the length of Wales for Size of Wales in June this year.
“We would love to see more local individuals, schools and businesses getting involved. Importantly, all of the money raised will be doubled by our match fund so for every £1 you raise, £2 will go to our forest projects.”
The money raised for Size of Wales will be spent on a range of actions that will help protect tropical forests – from buying tree seedlings, to funding rangers and supporting local people, to lobbying for land ownership and management rights.
Size of Wales currently supports seven projects across South America and Africa.
Having reached its initial twomillion hectare target, and successfully contributed to the protection of an area of tropical forest the size of Wales, the project now hopes Go Green Day 2017 will have a significant impact on helping to sustain tropical forests for the future.