People in Harrogate urged to wear a green jumper tomorrow to help the environment
Organisers hope their idea, which was thought of in a Harrogate coffee shop, could help save the planet
Last updated 25th Nov 2021
People in Harrogate are being encouraged to get wrapped up for Green Jumper Day tomorrow and to turn the heating down.
It's to increase awareness of and take action against climate change in a personal and fun way.
Green Jumper Day, which is in it's first year, was created by Harrogate man Alec Walton and his daughter as they discussed what they could do the help the environment.
They're hoping schools and local businesses will wear a green jumper, or a 'jumper to be green', and they'll turn down the heating to reduce their carbon footprint.
Alec, said:
"We're not going to save the planet by all turning the thermostat down on one day but we all need reminding that if we make those small changes collectively it can make a difference. It's about whether you're at school, university, at work or at home and having something nice and simple which is a fun idea.
"We are very conscious that we want everyone to wear a green jumper if they've got one, it's a jumper to be green as well to show solidarity. We don't want people going out buying green jumpers and adding to the element of fast fashion.
"It's not a difficult concept but everyone can do something. As long as you can reach your thermostat, then you can turn down your heating for a little bit. Just imagine what difference we could make on that one day if we all did it.
"We've had people getting in touch with us from Australia and from America so we've gone from what started as an idea in a Harrogate coffee shop with my daughter has turned into this global thing and I think it's because it's just such a simple thing to do."
Businesses already signed up are Raworths solicitors, Thompsons Accountants, Myrings Estate Agency, Ashville College and Harrogate College.
Green Jumper is the not for profits organisation that hosts Green Jumper Day and their mission is to raise money to enable reforestation and to educate our children about climate change.
They want to inspire students to be the future scientists, innovators and sustainable business leaders, so they can help mitigate climate change and save the planet.
Green Jumper is currently working with two authors, Jenny Bailey, the author of Tales from Mother Earth and Chris Madeley the author of The Cones.
The books they commission and gift to schools all carry the same message of climate change mitigation and sustainability, told using animation and understandable messages.
They aim to give every junior school in the UK a series of books, and to keep them updated as often as possible.
Green Jumper is also working with the WWF and their Plant a Trillion Trees initiative.