The Problem, a snapshot:
- At any given moment, Northern Ireland’s streets hold around 12 million pieces of litter, with eight items of litter for each step along its coastline.
- Northern Ireland ranks 12th globally in biodiversity loss, with the latest OEP report (October 2024) revealing a 50% decline in biodiversity since the 1970s.
- Environmental concerns are high, with 80% of households worried about the environment (ERC Business Futures 2022), even as energy and food costs add further strain.
- In 2021, Google searches for “Eco” or “Climate” anxiety rose by 565%, a trend that continued into 2023, with the BBC reporting 27 times more searches in the first 10 months compared to 2017.
- People are becoming more disconnected from nature, negatively affecting their health and wellbeing.
The Good News...
Through volunteer action, commitment from councils, government, and businesses across the country, we are making a difference. The inspirational impact across Northern Ireland in 2023/24 is demonstrated below: