It is Earth Day and:
“These days, you get accused of being a woke leftie, if you say you are a conservationist, don’t you?”
Paraphrasing Stewart Lee aside, wanting to protect the planet and wanting to give our children a future shouldn’t be and isn’t a preserve of the left. Nobody (or almost nobody) enjoys seeing forest fires, oil spills, or polluted rivers, and I am sure that most of us would welcome opportunities to live more sustainably (read this for some ideas) and to reduce our carbon footprint.
I cycle to work (another 7lbs lost since my last blog), I recycle plastic and clothes, and I do try to shop more sustainably. I’ve swapped to brands such as adidas and I’m at the age when I go around switching off lights and asking loudly if the boys think it’s the Blackpool Illuminations.
However, I do have two loves that contribute significantly to my carbon footprint. The first is flying. We do love travelling and I am aware of the huge amounts of emissions our flights to Italy and France this year alone have generated. My offsetting at home probably doesn’t come close to cancelling out my flights but that doesn’t mean I can’t try (good Earth Day resource here about travelling more sustainably). Spending more of our holiday weekends holidaying in the UK has helped (also been wonderful exploring this beautiful isle) but there is another activity I enjoy which contributes to greenhouse gases.
Non Fungible Tokens or NFTs
I collect them, I write copy for various NFT projects and I am even involved in organising a summer Tech and NFT Festival in Glasgow. Over the last year I have made so many new friends and I have supported and worked with a diverse group of artists while a few of the projects I work with are focussed on addressing poverty and encouraging good acts.
But I also know that my minting (creating) of NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain has potentially had a detrimental effect on the environment and I know that most people are either dismissive or downright hateful of NFTs. They view those involved with NFTs as scammers and as uncaring tech bros focused on greed.
And, as a self confessed people pleaser, I want to change practices and opinions while raising millions of dollars for marine conservation charities (one is already on board). Yes, I said millions.
Earth Day Announcement
So, it is fitting that my Earth Day Announcement is that I am bringing together at least 42 NFT communities with over 500,000 members, and charities, marine biologists, sporting bodies, celebs and maybe a brand or two to take part in an international beach, lake and river clean in September of this year.
Over the years, my blogging and campaigning have connected me with amazing people and organisations. I’m now bringing them all together to do good and to show the world that the world of NFTs is filled with caring and good people from all walks of life and political persuasions.
In the next weeks and months, I will be sharing details of my team, partners, supporters, and the charities benefiting from our auctions and mint. I’ll also let you know how you can get involved and will tell you more about the Tech and NFT Festival. However, if you are keen to contribute now, DM me on Twitter at @howmanymiles_
It’s Earth Day. Let’s invest in the planet (and my charity NFTs) and let’s commit to doing better and to doing good.
