Charity uses humour to rally public support
A top environmental charity is turning to humour to highlight the plight of Scotland’s nature and wildlife by tapping into the nation’s ability to find a silver lining even in the darkest of times.
WWF Scotland’s ‘It’s in our Nature’ campaign embraces the nation’s ability for braving the cold, battling the wind, and pretending it’s ‘taps aff’ weather at 12°C. But one thing we won’t just laugh or shrug off is losing our wild places.
In the run-up to next year’s Scottish Parliament election, the charity’s new campaign uses our unique humour to rally public support for the serious issue of protecting our natural heritage.
From an image of a red squirrel dubbed ‘Scotland’s original fiery red-head’ to a hill walker’s struggle to the top of a mountain for a breathtaking view being thwarted by our unpredictable weather – everyone can relate in one way or another to the struggles we face getting outdoors but embracing it anyway.
Brita Ferguson, campaign manager at WWF Scotland said: “One in nine of Scotland’s species is at risk of extinction. While this is no laughing matter, we hope that by tapping into our shared humour we can highlight the very serious issue that our nature is in crisis and desperately needs our help. In coming weeks posters will start popping up and hopefully raise a smile or two but also then prompt action to defend out natural heritage.
“People in Scotland have always had a knack for finding humour in hardship and we’re using that spirit to shine a light on the very real threats facing our wildlife and wild places — and to remind voters and politicians alike that protecting nature isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-do. It really is in our nature to protect what we love.”
WWF Scotland worked with design studio Good Fowk on the campaign, creative director Matthew Hyndman said: "The people of Scotland have a wicked sense of humour. They brave the cold, the rain, even the dreaded midges.
"We’ve tapped into that spirit to highlight something that’s no joke: Scotland’s landscapes need us to stand up for them before it’s too late.”
