19 September 2019

Write, illustrate and translate your way to a better planet.

Inspired by the student climate protests, and spurred by many calls from SoA members and campaigns like Poets for the Planet, we’re urging you to use your unique skills to help raise awareness about the climate crisis, throughout Climate Action Week (20-27 September) and beyond.

Illustration © Henny Beaumont / Poets for the Planet meeting at the Society of Authors' offices

Global Climate Strike – Friday 20 September

Join us tomorrow, Friday 20 September, for the Global Climate Strike. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to down tools for the day, but for authors we’re proposing a strike with a difference. Use your voice. Be louder than ever.

1. Please speak out about the climate crisis, the environment, and what individuals, governments and corporations must do to address climate change. Words and images can make a difference, and here we need them more than ever. If you’re already involved in activities, please tell us about them so we can share online.
2. If you can, join one of the thousands of climate protests happening across the UK and around the world. Search the interactive map on this webpage to find one near you. Some SoA staff are gathering at the Nelson Mandela Statue on Parliament Square, London, at 10:15, along with Friends of the Earth. Poets for the Planet members are meeting at the Millicent Fawcett Statue on Parliament Square at midday.
3. Finally, tell us how you’d like to see the Society of Authors become a more sustainable organisation – in how we operate and in the support we offer to authors.

 

As author Neil Gaiman said this week:

 

"It seems unfair that on a day when everyone is coming out on strike to protest against Climate Change, writers need to be louder, wiser and more articulate than ever. But we do. Speak out on September 20th. Use your platform and your words to help change the world for the better."

And in Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell's words:

"'It has never been more important to speak out about species extinction and the climate emergency. Often we feel helpless or that change is impossible. But before change can happen, it has to be spoken about, loudly, urgently, and writers and illustrators are in a uniquely good position to do that. We have to amplify the calls for action made so passionately by David Attenborough, Greta Thunberg and scientists across the world."

 

Climate Action Week – 20-27 September

From 20-27 September we'll be sharing news, interviews and blogs across the week for Climate Action Week – raising awareness about climate change, offering tips about what to do on an individual level, and sharing videos about what writers, illustrators and literary translators are doing to help.

And throughout the week, please keep telling us how you’d like to see us become a more environmentally sound organisation – both practically in the way we work, and in the way we work with members and partners. What could we do better? What could we do more of?

Tweet us, send us snapshots of your own personal protest, or share videos calling on the government to act – and let's make as much noise as possible.