How to be an advocate for sustainable changes.
Each of us can absolutely have an impact by setting an example, inspiring others & advocating for much needed change to stop climate destruction. Talking about why this crisis matters to you, to your family and how it impacts your community & city is the first step. Of course there are people who will roll eyes, recoil, think you're an alarmist etc., but you’ll also find that the majority of people believe sustainable changes are very important, regardless of divisive politics.
Here are some suggestions to get started with embedded links to other articles for more info:
Support & participate in national campaigns from non-profits like Third Act who are focused on protecting our environment.
Join environmental non-profits to learn more, volunteer & support them financially if you can. Many national organizations have local & regional chapters; here’s a comprehensive list of excellent organizations to consider.
Vote for national/local leaders who believe in science & prioritize changing policies that cause harm to our environment. Get familiar with your city council members, often these leaders win elections with a crazy small number of votes & they stick around for years. Attend City council meetings & sign up to speak about the issues you care about (many cities have set ups for both in-person and audio participation). Ask to see a Climate Action Plan for your city; chances are there isn't one. What is your city is doing to reduce emissions and protect people & ecosystems from the impact of pollution, drought & the threat of flooding and wildfires?
Support locally owned businesses & always tell them what they do well first! Don’t be shy about giving friendly, constructive feedback on their sustainability efforts (or lack thereof). Ask them to consider the impact of the harmful pollution from the deluge of single use plastics and foam - would they be open to consider alternatives? How about not automatically giving people a bag (and switch from plastic to plain paper if someone requests one). Many states also have green certifications for businesses; ask if the businesses you frequent would consider taking measures to become a sustainable business, for the good of the community.
Leverage your social influence with friends & family; be more active in your community. Talk about how climate has changed, the “weirdness” of the weather (flooding in NYC?) & the “new normal” (wearing a smoke mask to go outside is anything but normal). Ask about their concerns and try to find areas in common. Discuss the need to urgently shift from fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives, many of which are available today.
