Envirohub Bay of Plenty has launched a campaign to remember the best of the lockdown. Photo / Supplied
Envirohub Bay of Plenty has launched a campaign to remember the best of the lockdown. Photo / Supplied
From walking or biking to sharing fruit or waving to a stranger, the lockdown has shed light on the simple joys in life, and a new environment campaign wants to harness that for a better future for us and the environment.
Envirohub Bay of Plenty has launched a campaign which draws attention to all the positives the community experienced during level 4 such as cleaner air, waterways and enjoying a simpler way of life.
A new campaign urging Bay of Plenty residents to embrace 'the best of lockdown life' has launched this week to help the community permanently adopt some great environmental and social habits.
Envirohub Bay of Plenty has launched a campaign to remember the best of the lockdown. Photo / Supplied
Envirohub project manager Liesel Carnie said people found "so many advantages" to lockdown and Envirohub wanted to capture that and keep it going.
The hand-drawn illustrations are accompanied by messages such as "you rode and walked on streets that felt safe – now leave the car at home".
"You saved millions of single use cups from the dump – now bring your own cup."
Other advertisements urge people to be a "kind neighbour," "look after our oceans," "shop smart and local," "slow down with nature" and to "keep life kind and simple."
Envirohub Bay of Plenty has launched a campaign to remember the best of the lockdown. Photo / Supplied
The images have proved especially popular on Instagram with people adding their own comments and ideas on what aspects of lockdown life they wish to hang on to.
Carnie said the original topics were decided upon after Envirohub asked the community for input on what they loved most about being at home.
"Lots of people loved going for daily walks and reconnecting with nature. So we came up with slogans like 'you heard the birds because our streets were peaceful – now look after our birds.'
"It's also worth remembering - you got to know people, waved hi, shared fruit and felt more connected," she said.
Envirohub Bay of Plenty has launched a campaign to remember the best of the lockdown. Photo / Supplied
"We really want people to embrace those things before going back to their old habits again."
Envirohub is a charity responsible for environmental education and advocacy across the Bay of Plenty.
The campaign is backed by BayTrust, Social Link and the Sustainable Business Network and will run until the end of this week.
Carnie said a big difference could start with small changes, being practised as often as possible.
"If you get everyone in the Bay of Plenty to just do one of those changes, like take their own keep cups along to cafes, that's tens of thousands of single use cups that won't end up in our landfills.
"Now is the time to embrace the wonderful lessons we have learned over the past few months."
