There are clearly 10,001 ways to fight climate change and save the environment. The argument about which way is best, is ludicrous. It isn’t that some actions are more important than others, they are. It isn’t that every action is important, it is. However, understanding that there are levels of engagement in this battle is critical and we must act on all levels simultaneously.
When you are just beginning the process, it is a start and stop, try this and that. There is a point, however, when awareness kicks in and there is no going back. You understand what needs to be done and how you fit in. Then the real work begins. You are either an environmentalist or you aren’t.
Here are the seven ways that we must act if we are to successfully save our environment.
As an Individual – Be concerned with: Proper environmental diet, personal care, chemicals, water usage, your environmental education, what do you watch and read, etc.
As a Family – Be concerned with: The efficiency of your home, do you teach sustainable practices, eating practices, energy use, pets, the chemicals you use in your yard and your laundry, the efficiency of the products you buy, the gas mileage of the car you own, the plastics you use, proper recycling, composting, cooking, investment portfolio, etc.
As a Neighborhood – Be concerned with: Where do you shop, what do you shop, chemicals in your yard, promoting the planting of trees and grassless landscapes, community gardens, etc.
As a Town or City – Be concerned with: Knowing your local governmental representatives, local governmental meetings, sustainability goals, parks and recreation areas, trash and recycling practices, legislation related to environment, etc.
As a State – Be concerned with: Electing climate dedicated representatives, taking time to understand the issues in your state, writing letters, holding State politicians accountable, voting records, etc.
As a Nation – Be concerned with: Electing environmentally dedicated politicians, holding them accountable, reviewing proposed legislation, writing letters, reviewing voting records, etc.
As a Global Community – Be concerned with: What’s happening around the world, supporting global environmental organizations, finding discussion groups to share awareness of international issues, climate justice issues, etc.
Be active on all levels at all times. It is not as hard as it may seem. It can become quite natural.
Here is your call to action:
Make a list with the seven ways listed above and have an action for each one. Put the list on the refrigerator or in your smart phone or at your desk, wherever. Make it visible to everyone.
Here is what one would look like:
Individual – (Bob) Order bar soap for hair instead of plastic bottled shampoo (Judy) Order out a FarmStand for the house (Ana) Write article about importance of being a vegan
Family – Watch latest Attenborough series on the Planet Earth
Neighborhood – Ask Condo Association to plant more trees and make statement about the importance of adding solar to the buildings
Town/City – Virtually Attend June 20th City of Madison Committee meeting on City’s environmental goals
State – Write Letter to Tammy Baldwin about F35 jets in Madison
Nation – Contribute to presidential campaign
World – Subscribe to UN dispatch on our phones
When one action is accomplished replace it with another. You’ll never run out of things to do. Make your goals visible. Visibility tends to encourage accountability.
Make your goals specific and time oriented. There are thousands of ideas on this site that will get you going but there are hundreds of other places to get ideas from as well. Keep mining ideas. Comb the internet for helpful websites and bookmark them. Here is a start:
Small Carbon Footprint Family https://www.smallfootprintfamily.com
Sustainable Baby Steps https://www.sustainablebabysteps.com
Treehugger.com https://www.treehugger.com
Treading My Own Path https://treadingmyownpath.com
When you have accomplished one, replace it with a new one. Always have one for each category. If one gets stale or is too difficult, dump it and add something else. Keep moving!