Primarily aimed at children aged between six and ten, but open to anyone who wants to partake, the scheme aims to answer to questions about the natural world and provide inspiration for positive actions against the climate breakdown.
The Club’s creation is one of the Horniman’s key pledges in its Climate and Ecology Manifesto, announced in 2020. The site’s programming and operations have both been heavily influenced by issues pertaining to the climate crisis in recent years, with its Beat Plastic Pollution winning the prize for Limited Budget Project of the Year at the 2020 Museums + Heritage Awards.
As part of the Environment Champions Club, online resources and learning activities will be made available to members who can earn badges at home, at the museum (when reopen following lockdown) or in the local community.
Whether its gardening that supports bees or cooking a meat-free meal, the museum will seek every opportunity to incentivise climate-conscious behaviours. Ideas will then be shared via a dedicated Facebook group, where families can also share progress with the other club members.
“Each one of us can make small positive changes and together we will make a big difference,” asserts Carole Destre, the Horniman’s climate and ecological action coordinator.
“Our planet is an amazing place but we know that animals and plants are disappearing fast, due to pollution, rising temperatures, habitat loss and illegal hunting. Scientists say it’s not too late, if we act now, to protect the home we love.”
More information on the Environment Champions Club can be found here.
