The two projects are interwoven – a walk for earth and a gift for Vanuatu, the world’s most climate vulnerable island.
In 2022/2023 Zoe Bicât and her mule Falco walked a thousand miles during Walk for Earth. They were fundraising for Stop Ecocide International (SEI) who are taking action to hold those in authority accountable for actions that are knowingly putting the earth at risk.
The two companions walked from Oxford to Loch Achray in the Trossachs in Scotland. The destination is near the place where the late Polly Higgins grew up. Polly & current CEO Jojo Mehta co-founded SEI in 2017.
Along the way, Zoe had conversations with weavers, spinners and natural dyers around sustainable materials. Interwoven is a collaboration between them to each make a contribution piece of cloth. The pieces have been joined to make a gift for Vanuatu, the world’s most climate vulnerable island.
Why Vanuatu?
Vanuatu has long been recognised as an island that is at threat of sea levels rising due to climate change. The sea level has risen by 6mm a year since 1993 and climate change brings with it rising temperatures, droughts, cyclones, storm surges, flooding and landslides (Vanuatu Government PDF).
The average elevation of Vanuatu is only 398m. The highest point on the islands is Mount Tabwemasana at 1877m (Confiduss). A number of villages have already had to relocate to higher ground on their own or other islands (UN). They have lost and are losing their homes.
Ecocide translates to ‘killing one’s home’. By failing to take action on climate change we are all committing ecocide. We are killing our home, planet earth, and making it unsustainable.
Vanuatu was one of the first nations to raise ecocide law at the International Criminal Court in 2019. Their official statement read “Science indicates that global warming is real and will only get worse and catastrophic if we do not achieve the rapid and far-reaching transformations necessary to keep temperature below 1.5 degrees. Therefore resolving to strengthen the international rule of law to protect our common heritage and environment could be our joint legacy.” (Stop Ecocide)
In 2024, Vanuatu is leading a group of states to ask the UN General Assembly to refer a request to the UN’s International Court of Justice. They are asking for an ‘advisory opinion’ on what the legal obligations are of countries when it comes to climate action (Client Earth).
Why a piece of cloth?
In Vanuatu to honour someone, you give them cloth. Vanuatu has a long history of weaving textiles from plant based fibres. The cloth will be made from undyed natural yarns, mostly wool with some linen. The backing will have a message of thanks on it.
The participants have been encouraged to source materials as locally as possible. One participant is Blue Patch member Laura Rosenzweig from Laura’s Loom. She has used the idea of perspective – looking forwards to find solutions to climate change. Laura sources wool locally to her home in the Yorkshire Dales and she has used this for her cloth.
“The act of weaving cloth mirrors the complexity of life on earth, and of dialogue. So many strands must be brought together into a coherent whole. Weaving shows us that it can be done, with patience and perseverance. As a species we have many conflicting needs and desires but ultimately we all want one thing – a happy and healthy place to call home.”
Laura Rosenzweig
The Interwoven project is currently featured in our Pull My Thread exhibition at Brantwood in the Lake District. It runs until 22 September. There are posters with information about the cloth, a list of the collaborators and details of their contribution.
The cloth itself is on display at The Weaving Studio, 75 Main Street, Sedbergh, LA10 5AB. The Weaving Studio is a shop with products from three local weavers each of whom contributed to Interwoven – Anna Atkins, Ali Sharman and Laura Rosenzweig.
At a future date the cloth will be presented to representatives of Vanuatu by Stop Ecocide International.
