AN EXHIBITION which opened in Alloa earlier this week is aiming to use creative ways to help people discover how to fight climate change.

The Loving Earth Project officially opened at Alloa’s Speirs Centre on Monday, November 22 after being shown around the country and most recently in Glasgow as part of COP26.

Hundreds of people in the UK and overseas have contributed to the project – including Wee County school pupils – to help build a can-do attitude to prevent climate breakdown.

People from many places and of all ages have designed and made textile images of places, people or other things that are precious to them and are threatened by climate change, or of actions they are taking in response.

More than 400 beautiful panels have so far been created in a variety of styles and textile techniques.

They include images of polar bears, bees, flowers, landscapes, sea creatures caught in plastic, and recycled clothing.

Susan Mitchell, a panel-maker from Alva, said: “Through the focus on what we care about and the use of meditation this project has helped me to find out more about the full impact of greenhouse gases on our environment.”

Contributors are encouraged to work in groups to support each other and are asked to reflect on the impact of their own activities, and what they could do about it.

The exhibition will also feature work from children of the Wee County with Redwell PS pupils having contributed work to the Loving Earth Project.

Sarah Black, teacher of P2/3B at Redwell, said: "In conjunction with COP26, we have been learning this term about what we can do to help our planet.

“Our children understand how important this is, and it has been fantastic to see how engaged they are in discussing what they can do to make a difference.

“Participating in the Loving Earth Project has provided them with an opportunity to express their views and have them heard."

Linda Murgatroyd, of the Quaker Arts Network who initiated the project, added: “It has helped many people to shift from being worried but passive to becoming part of the solution.

“Love is at the root of our anger, fear and sadness about climate breakdown. It can empower us if we engage with it creatively.”

The exhibition will be available at the Speirs Centre until Saturday, December 11.

Gillian McFarland, visual artist and co-founder of the Harbour visual arts project, said: “This is a beautiful project. Wandering through it has given me such hope and joy.

"Rich and diverse in their imagery, these panels have a shared concern for the world we love.”

Visit youtube.com/watch?v=ukmiuHWAMlE to watch a short video on the project or visit lovingearth-project.uk to find out more.