01.02.2022

The second phase of Climate Change Message in a Bottle is well underway at Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, with eighteen island schools around Scotland participating this term. Founded in August 2021, the project brought messages from young islanders around Scotland and the world to COP26, thanks to funding from the Scottish Government, and collaboration with Island Innovation, Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre, UistFilm and Youth Scotland. 

Throughout February, in line with Scotland’s Year of Stories, Climate Change Message in a Bottle is collecting stories and artwork from island schools in Scotland, representing their hopes and wishes for a carbon neutral, climate friendly future. This will be showcased in an online gallery. In addition, SCELG are welcoming two illustrators to the project, Hannah Riordan and Melanie Grandidge, who will be producing a zine based on the children’s stories, to be distributed around the islands. 

In addition, Climate Change Message in a Bottle is excited to announce that one piece of artwork submitted by a participating young islander will be selected for the front cover of the Scottish Government’s June 2022 Carbon Neutral Islands report. This report will set out the Scottish Government’s plans to fully support at least three islands in becoming carbon neutral by 2040 and benefit all Scottish islands through knowledge exchange and the sharing of good practices. The chosen artwork will be decided by public vote, so follow @cop26messagebottle on Instagram and keep an eye on SCELG’s Twitter to have your say! 

In the meantime, Climate Change Message in a Bottle is continuing to accept submissions for its online interactive map, kindly hosted and updated by Island Innovation. Now that COP26 is over, island schools, youth groups and young people (up to the age of 26) around the world are invited to continue to share their perspectives on climate change and sustainability. Participation involves filming a short video of yourself or your group talking about how climate change is affecting your island, and what kinds of changes you would like to see in the future. Full instructions on how to submit your message can be found on Island Innovation’s map webpage. The elevation of island perspectives is essential to just and equitable climate change solutions. 

Climate Change Message in a Bottle is funded by the Scottish Government and was founded by the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance (SCELG) in partnership with Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre, UistFilm, Youth Scotland and Island Innovation. SCELG would also like to thank Scottish Islands Federation, The Edge Foundation and Glasgow Science Centre for their collaboration on the project.