Middlesbrough residents gathered to tackle climate change during the Great Big Green Week, which took place June 8 -16.

Climate Action Middlesbrough organised a series of community events, stretching from Coulby Newham and Hemlington to North Ormesby and Whinney Banks, and even reaching the dinosaurs at Teessaurus Park.

Highlights of the week included wildflower walks led by local botanists Colin Conroy and Martin Allen, community litter picks with schools in Gresham, and a free furniture and clothes giveaway.

Additionally, nature drawing classes, a seed swap, and a demonstration on making foil blankets from used crisp packets for the homeless were largely attended and well received.

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(Image: Climate Action Middlesbrough)

A talk provided guidance on chicken raising, and a foraging walk educated participants on local edible wild plants.

One notable event was a wildflower walk at Middle Marsh Nature Reserve – Middlesbrough’s newest nature reserve, near the Riverside Stadium.

Participants even had a surprise serenade, as they could hear singer James Arthur rehearsing for his homecoming concert during their walk.

Continuing the week, over 100 Middlesbrough residents flocked to the International Community Centre on June 11th for a free furniture and clothes giveaway whereas another day saw Climate Action Middlesbrough at the Parkway Centre in Coulby Newham handing out free tins of beans to encourage a less meat-oriented diet.

At the Resource Centre in Meath Street, a workshop dedicated to recycling used crisp packets into foil blankets attracted locals.

Not only did this address recycling, but also aided in combating homelessness, as the resulting blankets were donated to the Nite Lite charity.

Young minds also got involved in the week's activities, voicing their concerns about the planet and the animal kingdom.

There were calls for more cycle paths in Middlesbrough with one young participant expressing a desire for safer bike riding conditions.

(Image: Climate Action Middlesbrough)

Moreover, Climate Action Middlesbrough introduced a Swap Challenge, encouraging residents to adopt small changes such as one meat-free meal per week, swapping indoor hobbies for outdoor activities, replacing lightbulbs with energy-saving LEDS, donating unnecessary items, and swapping car journeys for public transport, cycling, or walking.

Project co-ordinator for Climate Action Middlesbrough, Matthew Allen said: "People can take up our #swapchallenge by changing something small.

"Climate action can start with tiny seeds."

He added: "We want to show that you don't have to make massive changes to take meaningful climate action."

"The Great Big Green Week will show that people and communities across the UK are making swaps every day to help create a better world, for us now and for the next generation.

"We hope people can continue some of the swaps they have made this week and in swapping ideas and opinions can change the world."