The important role of bio-diversity in tackling climate change is being highlighted in a new piece of artwork in Toxteth.
A large mural of a Northern Dune Tiger Beetle has been painted on Grafton Street in Liverpool to draw attention to the impact that the climate crisis is having on local wildlife. The ‘UK Youth for Nature’ campaign group want to raise awareness of environmental damage ahead of COP26 – the global summit on climate change – which is taking place in Glasgow this November.
The Northern Dune Tiger Beetle is one of the fastest beetles in the world and is unique to the north-west of England, specifically the Liverpool and Sefton coastlines, but numbers of the species are now disappearing.
Its decline demonstrates the negative impact that environmental changes are having on local habitats and how urgent action is needed by governments around the world, to reverse the damage before its too late.
Liverpool’s ‘beetle’ is one of a series of murals being created across the country by ‘UK Youth for Nature’ as part of their ‘Wild Walls: Natural Kingdom’ campaign. The group hope to engage with members of the public about wildlife – unique or important to where they live – and encourage everyone to think of a more bio-diverse future and the benefits this can bring to not only our outdoor experiences, but our planet as well.
The mural was painted by internationally-renowned street artist ATM and has been supported by the Good Business Festival and Liverpool City Council, alongside local arts organisation, dot-art.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, said: “Projects like these are so important in raising awareness of the impact of climate change right here on our doorstep. I am really inspired by the young people behind ‘UK Youth for Nature’ who are demonstrating, in a really innovative and eye-catching way, what we stand to lose if we don’t do something to address the environmental emergency we face. I look forward to working with them more closely to see what Liverpool can do to boost its bio-diversity and secure the future of our local habitats.”
The public is invited to scan a QR code on the wall underneath the mural and head to https://youthfornature.uk/natural-kingdom_wild-walls/ for more information.
