With headline after headline about climate change and the world sliding into greater depths of disrepair as a result of it, it’s easy to feel as though the struggle is a helpless one. This is something that can be exacerbated by how much of the damage done is on a scale that’s much larger than one individual. Businesses and governments are primarily responsible for the damage, and where does that leave you, as someone who wants to make a difference?
The answer is a complicated one, but it’s important to explore it as thoroughly as possible, as there is still certainly action that you can take.
On an Individual Scale
What about differences that you make in your own life? After all, as much of a drop in the bucket as you might feel if enough people do make changes in the right direction, that could accumulate into something greater. You might start by relying on your car less frequently, instead opting for more sustainable options, such as cycling, walking, or using public transport wherever possible. You could also focus on your diet, cutting out foods that are known to be harmful through their production.
You can also look at how you power your home, contacting a solar company to convert to renewables in favor of what you’re currently using. This can have an extra benefit of sometimes saving you money on your monthly bill, which might make it appealing on a more immediate practical level.
Accumulated Efforts
This idea of your own efforts working in tandem with others like it to create a bigger impact is something that can be present in other efforts you might take to combat climate change. Voting is one example of this, using democratic opportunities to vote against policies and parties that might make more environmentally damaging decisions. However, voting with your money can often be just as effective. Switching to more sustainable brands can encourage businesses to move to where that money is going – after all, if there’s a profit to be made, chances are that businesses will look to capitalize on that success.
You can get more organizational if you do want to, which might not only help you to find like-minded individuals but could also give you other ideas on actions that you could take personally and societally to make a difference.
Your Career
You could also look for professional opportunities to make a difference. While some are going to be in a position where their qualifications and experience naturally align with jobs like those in conservation, others might be looking to make a shift towards something like it – which can be more difficult, but not impossible. If your skills can be put towards marketing, for example, you could get into a position where you’re raising awareness for a cause and looking to raise money for it. Alternatively, you could look to get some qualifications at this point in your career that can push you in a new direction that you might find more satisfying.
