Tell the Tardigrade - 3 mossy actions for December
Each month we’re going to share three actions for a brighter greener future. We’ll try to keep these moss-like in their simplicity, accessibility and do’ability!
This month we’ve leant into the Christmas season with suggestions about decorations, catching up with friends & family, and gifts.
The Mossy Carpet aims to share a wide variety of actions through interactive audio - you might hear something new that you’d like to try out, or feel motivated to keep on with something that you’re already doing. Remember, like many tiny mosses forming a lush green mound, it’s all about many small do’able actions adding up to make a difference.
Have you got an action you’d like us to share? Call the Tardigrade to tell us all about it! (More info at the bottom of this page).
Christmas decorations - less is often more!
Compared to many plants, mosses have a fairly simple structure (rhizoides instead of roots and no showy flowers), yet when we look closely they have beautiful structures.
We’re not saying that you should forego all Christmas decorations, but how about:
Photo by @denleyphotography on Upsplash
Focus on quantity not quality
Re-use decorations year on year, when you do decide to source new ones how about going handmade, locally sourced, made from upcycled or natural materials
Switching light decorations on for a shorter timeslot each evening when you’re around to enjoy them (a great way to save on energy costs too!)
Take a leaf out of the photosynthesising mosses book and switch to solar-powered lights for outdoor displays - the days are shorter but if you place the solar panel carefully to make the most of the daylight hours then the batteries will provide a few hours of twinkle
Spending time in nature with friends & family (and mosses!)
Tis the season to meet up with friends and family. Why not suggest a catch up in the park, a stroll in the woods, or a longer stomp through the countryside?
While you’re together keep an eye out for tiny plants like mosses, and point them out to one another - we all have different perspectives of the world, and it’s a richer experience all round when we share.
Talking of sharing, why not tell them about The Mossy Carpet project and invite them to join in. I bet there are small actions they’re taking that you didn’t know about and vice versa. What hints, tips and shortcuts can you exchange to make behaviour change for a brighter greener future not just achievable but also beneficial and preferable!
Looking for that special something
Please accept my apologies for this blatant sales pitch…
The consumer culture has led to a conundrum for many of us - what to gift to the person who already has it all?
Why not gift them something special this Christ’moss’ and in doing so support us to extend the Mossy Carpet project invitation to lots more people.
To receive them in time for Christmas please select and pay through our Crowdfunder before 2:30pm on 14th December. After that visit www.ArtAndEnergy.org/SupportUs - postable items may not arrive in time for Christmas.
Nominate someone for a VIP celebratory ‘walk of fame’ on the Mossy Carpet in Summer 2024
Book tickets to join us at a mossy walk - discover mosses up close, enjoy tasty refreshments, meet likeminded people, join in wit the project.
Gift a textile tardigrade… because we all need one in our lives!
Book a Mossy Carpet workshop for your school, community group or event.
Send them a kit to build and decorate their very own solar house - designed and created by Art and Energy
Gift a signed copy of our new publication, a stimulating mix of facts, activities, and prompts to #BeMoreMoss
Have you got an action you would like us to share? We’d love to hear all about it. Give the Tardigrade a call and record a short message, this will be incorporated into The Mossy Carpet, sharing encouragement and ideas as we face the climate and ecological emergency.
