Remembrance Day for Lost Species, November 30th, is a chance each year to explore the stories of species, cultures, ways of life and habitats driven extinct by unjust power structures and exploitation, past and ongoing. It emphasises that these extinctions are rooted in violent, racist and discriminatory economic and political practices. It provides an opportunity for people to renew commitments to all that remains, and supports the development of creative and practical tools of resistance.

Participate in Remembrance Day for Lost Species in any way you like: host or join in with an art project, a talk, a procession; light a candle, clean a stream, write a letter, plant a tree; take any kind of solidarity action that makes the links between current and historic harms to species, cultures and habitats by unjust power structures and exploitation.

Martha’s Flock at the Life Cairn, Mount Caburn 2014. Photo: Robin Taylor

 In 2020, the Living Planet report showed that there has been an average 68% decline in animal population sizes over the last 50 years. Climate change and habitat loss due to extractive colonialism and capitalism are not only exacerbating human suffering and structural inequality but plainly leading to a sixth mass extinction event. Now is the time to create new rituals for remembering and mourning what has been lost, and for celebrating and making commitments to what remains.

Passenger Pigeon war memorial, Camilla Schofield, 2011. Photo: Rebecca Anson

Thylacine Ghost by Gabbee Stolp

Bombus franklini by Eti Meacock. Photo: Abi Horn