Feeling overwhelmed by the state of the planet? You’re not alone. The consequences of climate change are getting more severe and we need to start thinking differently about climate action. The good news is that small, everyday efforts can make a big difference, and it starts with you. Welcome to The Environmentalist, your column for understanding the natural world. Today we will explore individual and community actions you can take.
The American Psychological Association defined eco-anxiety or climate anxiety as “a chronic fear of environmental doom.” Eco-anxiety can be brought on by personal experiences related to extreme weather events, drastic changes in your local environment, or being exposed to information related to environmental issues. I have severe environmental anxiety and it’s horrible; not because of the mental strain, necessarily, but because it can prevent me from taking action. But there are solutions! We are not doomed; “small” actions have a great impact.
Research shows that environmental actions start positive reinforcement cycles. Starting a positive environmental practice results in minimizing negative impacts, leading to a healthier local environment. This betters the quality of life of the person or community involved and ends up promoting more positive environmental practices for them. Then the cycle starts over. Our actions matter.
Let’s discuss the individual actions you can start taking today.
As an individual, you might feel like you can’t really do anything about climate change, but you hold power in the choices you make every day. You should know better than to leave your lights on all night and not recycle your trash, so keep up with that! But your power truly resides in what you consume. Think about what you eat and buy. Actions like not eating animal products one day a week, reconsidering your Amazon cart, or checking the ingredients of your shampoo can have a great impact on the environment. Before you consume, stop and think of the impact that product has. Further, get informed. I know it is uncomfortable, but knowledge and comprehension are the best tools to find effective solutions. Then share that knowledge, talk about these solutions, and help those around you care.
On a community level: volunteer. Find local organizations and go for it. Recognize the different levels of responsibility. You don’t pollute as much as big corporations, so call them out! Get involved with your local government; are there any environmental policies? Are they being followed? Reach out. The key is to speak up. Ask yourself: what is damaging my local environment? Who are the most vulnerable people? Take a proactive approach.
We need to understand that it’s impossible to be a perfect environmentalist, and that is fine. The world needs groups of people taking care of the planet — even imperfectly — rather than just a few doing it perfectly, so don’t be discouraged. As The Lorax once said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.” So, let’s care.
