Glasgow residents urged to help keep city clean ahead of global conference
Glasgow city council has launched the People Make Glasgow Greener campaign.
Residents around Glasgow are being asked to take on more personal responsibility for keeping the city more "attractive and sustainable."
Glasgow city council has launched their People Make Glasgow Greener campaign, appealing to citizens to do their bit in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), which is taking place in the city in November
Leader Susan Aitken is pledging to work with communities to "improve neighbourhoods and the overall city environment" as well as introduce a litter prevention programme.
Hoping our "sense of pride" can be enticed, she said: "Glasgow is renowned and defined by our people. It is our Dear Green Place.
“I know Glaswegians are proud of our city and our communities. However, we continue to be let down by a minority who litter, fly tip and graffiti.
“But, we can all make a difference. We are investing an additional million pounds into frontline environmental services and an extra one and a half million pounds in to parks and open spaces, over the coming year.
“Of course, with COP26 being hosted by Glasgow in just over six months’ time, the eyes of the world will be on us. We have an opportunity to not only have our city associated with the biggest – and maybe last – opportunity to steer our planet onto a safer path, but also to accelerate the changes we have to make as a city."
The pledge to work with communities has to be a priority according to Selena Boyach.
She is the projects administrator with Glasgow organisation Urban Roots, who inspire and teach residents how to make lifestyle changes that benefit their communities and the environment.
Based in Toryglen, she said: "If you don't want people to leave mattresses in the street then you've got to make it easier for them to get a bulk uplift, and if you've not got access to the internet or they don't have any phone credit, then that's the only way to get the council to come and get it.
"The website is very complicated too. There are plenty of people who aren't literate enough to read all the information and make sense of it, so the council need to make their communication with us clearer.
"They need to make it easier for people who don't have the internet or can't get to a recycling centre, so they have to be going into these communities and engaging properly with residents to teach them how to look after their areas properly."
Heather Suttie is an environmental activist, who added: "The campaign is an awesome one and although the council and businesses have a responsibility to play a part, so do we.
"Glaswegians are very passionate about the city so this is a group opportunity for everyone to show how much pride we've got and play our part. It's a brilliant initiative."
COP26 is expected to see world leaders gather in the city to thrash out a commitment that sees countries pledge to reaching net zero emissions, adapt to the impacts of climate change and accelerate a green transformation of financial systems, to drive clean investment. It is hoped hosting COP will also help attract jobs and investment and become a launchpad for the changes Glasgow must continue to make in the decade ahead.