The Sockists Project: Peaceful protest and activism through recycled socks
Liz Edwards Smith, co-chair of BPS South West Branch, reports on an environmental art project that saves socks from landfill, brings people together to make sock creatures (Sockists), and raises their voices against climate change.
04 November 2024
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"Once you learn about climate change and its implications, you can't unlearn it." Wise words from Phil Topham in his recent Down your Way: The Climate Changing Room project report. Many of us are concerned about the climate crisis and are doing what we can to adapt our own behaviours and to influence those around us.
Research shows, however, that structural systemic change is needed if we are to mitigate climate change and meet human needs within our planetary boundaries. Too often, we see leaders of countries and corporations, and those in our own backyards, making decisions that appear either counterproductive to the cause or nowhere near bold enough to make a lasting difference.
So how can we make our voices heard?
Frustrated with the lack of action from local and national leaders, and experiencing personal feelings of eco-anxiety*, local environmental artist Fi Smart has started an environmental art project that saves socks from landfill, brings people together to make sock creatures (Sockists) and raises their voices against climate change.
Fi has run workshops with schoolchildren, families and those who are concerned about climate change but feel they have no voice. Coming together with others to create a tribe of Sockists has enabled people to share their concerns about the climate crisis while having fun, and with the realisation that they are not alone.
Fi has a vision of millions of Sockists urging leaders to be more courageous and to act with urgency to tackle climate change. You can join the movement by creating your
own Sockist, taking a photograph or film of your message to leaders and sharing it on social media.
Get in touch/more information
For more information about The Sockists Project and for instructions on how to make your own, go to The Sockists Project Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/thesockistsproject/
Fi offers free workshops anywhere within 30 miles of Plymouth and can be contacted via email: [email protected].
For everyone worried about climate change, make and use sock creatures in a fun way to give a voice to your fears and push leaders to do more about it.
*Eco-anxiety is the distress caused by climate change, where people are becoming anxious about their future. This systematic review looks at the current literature and gaps in knowledge and understanding.