A WOMAN will set out to break a Guinness World Record this weekend by hugging a tree on Rhos-on-Sea promenade for more than 24 hours.
Maria Hebron Getachew, 29, from Colwyn Bay, says her goal is to “create awareness of the importance of collective action for social impact”.
She will start the challenge tomorrow (June 22), with the final hour of her record-breaking attempt set to start at 12.20pm on June 23.
Her challenge follows Great Big Green Week, held earlier this month, while a climate action march is taking place in London tomorrow.
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More than 180 community members are due to come and watch Maria take on her challenge.
She said: “Unlike animals or humans, trees cannot move to escape extreme weather conditions. They must endure all that the climate throws at them.
“This enduring nature of trees signifies their resilience and serves as a metaphor for the consistency of the struggle against climate change and the necessity to protect our natural environment.
“By hugging this symbol of resilience for more than 24 hours, I plan to drive a call to action for us all: to choose what we stand for, who we stand with, and what we stand against.”
The current tree-hugging world record is 16 hours, set in Uganda.
Maria added: “We must remain steadfast in our decisions and actions. Like trees, we should not be swayed but remain resolute.
“I aim to inspire young people to develop pragmatic, unconventional solutions to our critical problems.
“I will be encircled by about 30 seedlings arranged in a circle, including myself and the tree I will embrace.
“This setup emphasises the connection between individual and collective efforts in tree planting and environmental conservation.”
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