COP26 should leave a legacy for Glasgow

Heather Suttie, environmental campaigner, and City of Glasgow College graduate, believes it is crucial that students get involved in climate change and environmental campaigns.

“Regardless of what you do, where you’re from, or how old you are, we all have a voice and we should be using it,” explains Heather. “Every day we are faced with endless decisions which are either good or bad for the environment. Small steps are powerful and we can all play our part.”

The founder of the 2007 Say No to Plastic campaign, which was instrumental in the introduction of the plastic bag charge in Scotland, continues to be passionate about environmental issues.

Her most recent project is BookFace, which she set up in May 2020, and was initially a place for friends to share great book recommendations during lockdown. Now, with over 1300 members from across the world, Heather has launched a series of book swap brunches.

“We’re building a community of book lovers where our currency is sharing great recommendations. Many of us have missed swapping books with friends and colleagues so the book swap brunches are a great way to save money and live that little bit more sustainably.”

In 2019 she spearheaded a global campaign to highlight the damaging effects of pollution caused by single use plastic contact lenses, with many brands now offering a contact lens recycling service.

She has high hopes for COP26 but few expectations, saying: “I’m completely confused by the entire thing, there’s no sense of a timeline or main objectives or direction, there’s so much happening it’s like spaghetti junction.

“I see mostly brands spending huge amounts of money on advertising, organising events or dinners, and all competing for attention. Fundamentally, the size and scale of it seems at odds with tacking climate change, plastic and general over consumption.  

“Who offsets the environmental impact of this COP itself?  My wish, post COP would be for everyone in the world to commit to doing one thing every day which is positive for the environment.

The former HND Advertising & Public Relations student is a well-known TV and radio presenter, newspaper columnist, and the only Scottish host of the BBC's 'Live & Kicking'.  

“I loved my time at the college,” said Heather. I still keep in touch with a few students and my course tutor, Robin McGhee, it was a brilliant course and a really great experience. And I’ve achieved a lot of the goals I had when I left. To be happy, healthy and doing what I love.”

“Some of my highlights include moving to London and working with an international marketing agency. I travelled the world with my job, writing, producing and presenting, and using my skills to raise £350,000 for charity.

“I was an ambassador for some great causes, supporting The Prince’s Trust, Keep Scotland Beautiful, and more. I spent a year living in Tanzania, became a broadcaster, was gunged live on TV, and fulfilled a teenage dream to present a kids Saturday Morning TV show.

“I’m now working as a Creative Director for Hollicom: PR, Strategic Communications and Creative Media, with colleagues and clients who make me tick on many levels.