Glasgow to Globe launches

Today we’re very excited to launch Glasgow to Globe, a living exhibition that demonstrates how nature can help tackle the climate crisis and create a happier, healthier world. 

Set in the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, the exhibition will highlight the roles different landscapes can play in tackling the nature and climate emergency, from urban streets and gardens, right up to forests, peatlands and even seas.  

The physical exhibition is being developed in Glasgow's Botanic Garden but will aim to inspire action across Scotland and the world

One of the key messages of Glasgow to Globe is the part every individual can play in this challenge. Even the smallest spaces can become homes for nature, whether it’s a bug hotel in the corner of a garden, or a few pollinator friendly plants in a window box. The exhibition will demonstrate the ease and effectiveness (and fun!) of measures such as these. 

Just like our efforts to tackle these crises, Glasgow to Globe will be ever evolving. Throughout September, we will be running a number of workshops and events, which will help grow each section, before the full experience opens for general visitors in mid-October. You’ll even be able to take part from across the country, as we will be running several digital workshops to complement the physical exhibition. This will all take us nicely towards the UN Climate Summit, COP26, which is running in Glasgow 31 October – 12 November. 

The finished exhibition will include everything from back gardens to rainforests

COP26 will see Glasgow welcome representatives from 190 countries, who will negotiate to agree actions to limit threats of climate change. While the Scottish Government does not have a formal role in the negotiations, the conference being held in Glasgow is a golden opportunity to show the world that Scotland will take strong action to tackle the climate emergency. 

And this action is needed now more than ever. In Scotland, 1 in 9 species are at risk of extinction, and the recent Biodiversity Intactness Index found that nature in Scotland was more depleted than 88% of countries and territories across the world. While positive actions have been taken against the climate emergency, we want to see similar happen for nature. 

The nature and climate crises are intrinsically linked, and positive action for the former can play a vital role in tackling the latter. We’re immensely proud of our landscape-scale projects, such as restoring over 2600ha of peatland in the Flow Country, or our role with the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest. Both these examples are helping to save nature: rainforests are home to some of our most iconic wildlife, such as red squirrels and pine martens, while healthy peatlands are a haven for wading birds such as curlews, greenshanks and dunlins. However, just as crucially, both habitats are vital carbon sinks, so restoring them to their former glory and keeping them in good condition is beneficial for everyone. 

With that said, these successes are in danger of becoming the exception rather than the rule, unless we see targeted action from every level of society. The only way we’re going to tackle the nature and climate crises is by working together, individuals, businesses and nations alike. Glasgow to Globe will show how we can combine our efforts and safeguard the future of our planet. 

Glasgow to Globe will highlight how small steps in urban areas can make a massive difference for nature

Visit our website to find out more and keep an eye on the Glasgow to Globe Twitter and Facebook pages for the latest updates.