For the first two weeks of November, Glasgow became home to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, otherwise known as COP26.

Bringing swathes of the world’s foremost leaders to the city (and the media coverage to boot), the event had enormous significance, bridging connections between international delegates and dignitaries, and equally, providing a global meeting of activists, campaigners and lobbyists. With collaboration as a key aim in order to tackle the increasingly concerning effects of climate change, the conference was set up to be a pivotal point in the global battle against it – with more hinging on the decisions than ever before.

With so many voices in Glasgow looking to get heard, we wanted to platform those from the immediate community too – so we teamed up with #OurDearGreenPlace to bring art by local schoolchildren to the streets of the city. Using our space to provide the perfect backdrop to the COP conference and the climate protests around it, we wanted #OurDearGreenPlace’s ongoing environmental project to continue and magnify its impact within its own locale.

As part of a scheme commissioned by Glasgow City Council’s Education department, SWG3’s Yardworks took up the mantle of helping students express their opinions on pollution, plastics and climate change, all through the medium of art with the help of local artists Molly Hankinson and Michaela McManus. #OurDearGreenPlace resulted in bright, bold and emotive environmental designs, speaking for a planet being increasingly harmed by human pollution. During COP26, the designs were right at home on the streets of the city – alongside huge protests and demonstrations with similar messages.

The artworks featured an array of different designs, including a tearful planet earth, candid words about preventing plastic pollution in the sea, endangered and anthropomorphised sea creatures, and snappy and emotive slogans – hopefully motivating the city’s residents to adopt more eco-conscious behaviours; campaigners to keep up their fight; and perhaps even conference delegates to listen, empathise, and act accordingly as a result.

Displayed on our drums throughout the city, the #OurDearGreenPlace artworks are evocative, apt and equally endearing, capturing the spirit of young people and their desire to look after the planet they’re growing up on. As a generation that could bear the brunt of decades of environmental damage, their passion for preventing climate breakdown is tangible and understandable.

We were delighted to play a part in bringing #OurDearGreenPlace to the street to showcase the work and campaigning being done locally before, during and after COP26 – to hopefully help the fight for a brighter future for our planet.