The Horniman Museum and Gardens has announced a new climate and ecology manifesto, which involves a new project to redisplay natural history collections and plans to become greenhouse gas neutral.
The manifesto outlines the attraction’s plan of action and the steps that it will take to mitigate against the climate and ecological emergency.
In it’s manifesto, the Horniman unveiled an ambitious ‘Nature and Love’ project to redisplay the natural history and living collections, highlighting climate issues to a wider audience.
This will include a redisplay of the Natural History Gallery and Aquarium, as well as outdoor zones to encourage nature exploration and highlight sustainable gardening.
‘Nature and Love’ project to redisplay living collections
We’re in a climate emergency. Species and habitats around the world are threatened by human-made climate change and pollution, right now.
Our lives have to change, and everyone can do something to help. 🌎https://t.co/luYgT6Sz1N pic.twitter.com/Sx9YdLrGge
— Horniman Museum and Gardens (@HornimanMuseum) January 30, 2020
The Horniman also aims to reduce pollution and become greenhouse gas neutral by 2040, and is appointing a ‘Climate and Ecological Action Coordinator’.
This new role will be dedicated to making the changes happen. In addition, the Horniman is creating an ‘Environmental Champions Club’ to inspire and support guests in making changes.
The manifesto announcement comes after the Horniman declared a climate and ecological emergency in July 2019.
As part of this, the Horniman Café is swapping bottled water and plastic takeaway packaging for products with a lower environmental impact.
Outdoor zones to encourage nature exploration
We have launched our Climate and Ecology Manifesto @HornimanMuseum today: please RT and encourage others to do similar. London museum makes detailed plans to fight climate crisis—its leader says other museums should follow suit: https://t.co/lumpuqIeWm
— Nick Merriman (@nickmerriman01) January 30, 2020
It is also raising awareness via events and exhibitions, including the Beat Plastic Pollution pop-up display in the aquarium.
“We believe the Horniman has a moral and ethical imperative to act now,” said Nick Merriman, chief executive of the Horniman.
“As a much-loved and trusted institution and the only museum in London in which nature and culture can be viewed together, we feel we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to use our collections, our indoor and outdoor spaces, and our relationship with our visitors, to create a movement for positive environmental change.”
Earlier this month, the Natural History Museum declared a planetary emergency, launching a new strategy in response to the challenges facing the planet. The attraction will create new galleries, exhibitions and events.
