Advocating for the future while working with the past

In 2019 it was reported that around one million animal and plant species are facing extinction. Human activities linked to increased pollution and global warming are threatening the diversity of our planet1. At The Box we recognise that we have a responsibility to play our part.

In a sector that focusses on collecting and preserving the past, how can we advocate for a better future?

What is environmental sustainability?

Environmental sustainability means acting in ways that protect the Earth’s natural resources such as wood and fuel, and the quality of our air and water2.

Unsustainable activities can have devastating effects on the environment. For instance, burning excessive amounts of fossil fuels contributes to global warming and releases large amounts of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which means that it absorbs radiation from the sun and causes temperatures to rise3. This threatens food production and survival worldwide4.

The total amount of greenhouse gas associated with an activity, individual, group or organisation is known as its carbon footprint.

As an Archives and Records Management Apprentice my role involves maintaining the day-to-day running of the archive service. I also work alongside Archivists and sector professionals to address modern day challenges including how we can be more sustainable.

Archives in action

Reimagining the Film Archive is a three-year BFI Screen Heritage funded programme at The Box. The project aims to develop our collections and has also involved us researching the carbon footprint of our stores and reviewing our digital storage practices to identify ways to reduce our energy consumption.

Knowledge sharing is fundamental to understanding our impact on the environment and how we can improve so we’ve been working with Julie’s Bicycle, a non-profit that has partnered with the BFI to support and bring archives together to explore best practice. By getting involved with their new Sustainable Screen Programme and collaborative workshops we have equipped ourselves with the tools to take positive environmental action.

A marathon, not a sprint

Reducing our carbon footprint takes time and must be realistic. For instance, our store rooms are temperature and humidity controlled to preserve our collections. It’s important we maintain their preservation while we look into how to reduce our energy usage. It’s an ongoing journey.

Discovery through learning

While climate change sounds scary, action is being taken to improve our impact and you can get involved too! Small changes such as turning off switches, walking, cycling or taking public transport can reduce your carbon footprint and add up to make a big difference.

You can also learn more about the environment and how to reduce your impact at The Box! Our Planet Ocean exhibition, which is on display until 27 April 2025, highlights how we can protect the sea. You can also discover fascinating and inspiring stories linked to our collections in our Cottonian Research Room.

Image: The BFI National Archive. Taken during an Environmental Sustainability Workshop led by Julie’s Bicycle.

Resources: • IPBES. (2019). Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Chapter 2.2: Status and Trends – Nature, pp. 206. Part of ISBN: 978-3-947851-20-1. • WWF. (n.d.). Everyday choices impact our planet. • NASA. (n.d.). What Is Climate Change? • United Nations. (n.d.). Climate Change.