Words by Smiley Team
The Canary Craftivists are a new type of activist group, hoping to raise awareness of the need to act on climate change.
It appeals to quiet “creative crafters”, who are worried about global warming, and not yet part of a climate activism group. It uses the “soothing, thoughtful process of craft” to help people channel feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety or powerlessness into proactive, encouraging action.
“Rather than projecting despair – which can cause inaction – our quiet actions are attractive and encourage politicians to be part of helping our home flourish for all," the Crafitivist Collective website states.
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“We need many forms of activism in the activism toolbox to engage the public and power-holders in lots of different ways,” founder Sarah Corbett tells Smiley News.
“There's a time for loud and large activism and there's also a place for quiet, intimate activism too.”
The canary craftivists have made yellow canaries to send to MPs ahead of COP26, as a gentle reminder for the need for climate action.
Sarah says she created the #CanaryCraftivists project for “introverts, anxious people and people who care deeply about the climate crisis yet are nervous to take part in existing climate actions that are extrovert or divisive”.
“This project has engaged hundreds of people across the UK who've never done activism or climate action before and in a way that complements their skills, character traits and they can do whether they are in their bedroom alone or in a small politically diverse group having a 'crafternoon' together for a common cause in public,” she says.
The group has had 99 “flocks” of 2-12 people gather in homemade yellow canary outfits in their local area near a loved recognisable landmark.
