Can you spare one hour for climate action?

Imagine this: you receive a postcard from a friend. The postcard sings with good news and stories of a different world: a world with glistening clear waters, rainbow fish, ancient trees in verdant forests, clean air and clear skies. But that world isn’t in another country, across oceans and mountains and fields. It’s in another time: it’s a postcard from a better future.

In the future that your friend has visited, things are very different.

Towns and cities have burst into new life, with trees and flowers flourishing on every street. Roads are lined with safe bike lanes, and roofs are crowned by solar panels. Birds sing from atop buildings and in gardens and wildlife reserves. Communities are connected and stronger than ever, with neighbours who look out for each other. And with the introduction of shorter working weeks, living wages, affordable housing for all and local food networks, no-one ever has to go without food, water, or shelter, and no-one goes to bed cold or hungry.

At the end of the postcard, your friend leaves a simple request:

Come and join me in the future. Help make this future come true.

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What steps are you taking today to lead to the future you want to see?

We can make the better future of our dreams come true by taking action today – from making small swaps in our own lives to influencing big decisions by key changemakers.

For Great Big Green Week 2024, we’re asking people across the UK to take their own trip to a future of their choosing and write a postcard home to a loved one, a local politician, a business leader, or another changemaker. The more postcards we send between the 8^th – 16^th June, the greater our potential impact!

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How to write a postcard for progress

1. Set aside one hour: Grab a cup of tea or coffee, find a cosy spot, and dedicate just one hour of your time to being part of something bigger.
2. Download the postcard template – or make your own. You can print off your postcard template or import it into your chosen digital editing software.
3. Write your message from the future: Pour your heart out! What does your ideal future look like, feel like, smell like, even taste like? What would a normal day look like in a world with renewable energy, sustainable transport, community connection and regenerative agriculture? Share why climate action matters to you and what your chosen recipient can do to help make your future come true.
4. Draw the future! Draw what you can see in your better future. Let go of any worries about being ‘good at’ art – try to just enjoy the process, and have fun being creative!
5. Address It Right: Look up your local representatives’ addresses. Use our guidance to help you choose the right person. Make sure to include your own postcode with your name, so that your local representative knows you are their constituent.
6. Spread the Word: Encourage your friends, family, and neighbours to join in – you could even host your own “postcard party” at home to travel to the future together. Let’s send as many postcards as possible in a single week!
7. Share Your Postcards! Snap a photo of your postcard, submit it to the online gallery, and share it on social media using #PostcardsForProgress. Let’s inspire others to join the cause!

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Why a postcard, not an email?

In a world buzzing with emails, tweets, and instant messages, there’s something magical and timeless about a handwritten postcard. It’s a tangible connection—a whisper of hope, a plea for change, a call to action. And right now, our planet needs those whispers more than ever.

Imagine thousands of vibrant, shining, creative postcards flooding the offices of decision makers across the UK — a powerful wave of voices demanding a better, greener future.

Yours could be one of them.

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Don’t want to write your postcard alone?

Join our ‘Empower Hour’ event and write your postcard in community with others.

As part of the week’s activities, we’re running our popular postcards workshop in a dedicated online space for under 35s to have their say on climate issues and learn how to demand climate action in a creative and uplifting way.

Join us on 13th June at 7pm (BST) for this very special ’empower hour’ – sign up via Eventbrite and please share with your network! 💚