Is it possible to consider the environment when it comes to Mother’s Day?

This is a great question. I have three children who are all fiercely proud of me and what I do for a living.

Research from the US found 83 per cent of mums are concerned about climate change.

They know how passionate I am about protecting their future and tackling climate change and I say to them all the time “I love you from here to the moon and back.”

But the reality is, I worry a lot about their future because global warming is only going to increase in their lifetimes and their generation will be the ones that will have to manage even more extreme weather and solve the issues created by our pollution and previous generations before us.

Mums making a difference

Mums lead the charge on plenty of things when it comes to families, but they also lead the way when it comes to focussing on climate change. www.mothersriseup.org are an incredible small charity – a collective of mums with kids of all different ages who are vocal about climate change and campaign on issues that are going to affect their children.

www.mothers-can.org stands for Mother’s Climate Action Network and is a UK organisation that champions clean air and supports renewable energy. They bring local groups of mums who care about the planet together and they support climate positive action.

Mums for lungs are an organisation who want to clean the air our children are breathing in.

The voice of mothers is a powerful one when it comes to affecting change for our children. It’s something that’s even been celebrated at COP summits. COP 28 in Dubai celebrated three mothers from different continents all fighting to clean up their corner of the planet for the children they love and adore:

• COP28: Climate mums make themselves heard in halls of power

Mums care

Research from the US found 83 per cent of mums are concerned about climate change – compared with less than 60 per cent of the general population, there’s no equivalent research from the UK but the figures make interesting reading – a lot of mums care.

If you know a mum who feels passionately about green issues why not share these links with her?

The more mums who join in, the better and the more voices amplify, the faster solutions will happen to protect the planet for our children.

If you want to treat your mum, on Mother’s Day, there are plenty of things you can do that won’t cost – either your pocket or the planet. There are lots of ideas here:

• Is there an eco-friendly way to spoil mum on Mother’s Day?

Gifts that don’t cost the earth

Flowers are at a premium at this time of year and we know they have a huge carbon footprint.

Flowers are at a premium at this time of year and we know they have a huge carbon footprint but if you’re adamant, it is possible to get sustainable flowers that haven’t cost the earth. There’s plenty of ideas here:

• Where to buy sustainable flowers

If flowers are out of reach or you don’t want to risk the carbon footprint, why not think differently and go with some ‘experiences’ instead? When was the last time the Mum in your world had breakfast in bed or a lie in? When was the last time you told her just how much you love her and listed the things she’s great at or the ways she helps you? A “reasons I love Mum” list is something she can treasure for years to come.

You could cook her dinner or give vouchers for a vegetarian cookery course. You could wash her car or tidy up for her. You could make her a playlist or give her a hug every hour on Mother’s Day. You could help her ‘green up’ her beauty regime with some ideas from here:

• Five ways to green your beauty routine

If you still want to give her flowers then indoor plants that will help air quality or a wildlife friendly plant for outside would be great. And for chocolates look for Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance labels – gifts for good are a wonderful present.

Mums are special to a lot of us so why not use the opportunity this year to show the mum you love what she means to you.

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