The power of collective action has shaped our societies for the better and worse. Look throughout human history, and the course line has been one that collective efforts force societies to change.
In light of the experiences we all shared in 2020 with the start of the pandemic, making broad, sweeping actions to make positive change is a priority as we move forward.
This concept is important to us. As we’ve discussed actions that can be taken to improve the carbon imprint we have on this Earth, it’s becoming critical to focus our energies on making a positive, lasting change.
There are long-term issues with environmental sustainability. However, until there is mass pressure on businesses and governments to address the problems with climate, the responsibility falls on each of us individually to make a difference.
If you’re curious how you can make a difference, there are a variety of actions that you can take on.
Educate Yourself
One of the important actions you can take is to educate yourself about our actions on the environment, from the most prominent such as fuel and energy emissions to the impact of raising certain foods, and discarded packaging, and other waste.
Learning about how all of our actions are integrated with the environment and the impacts we make is the first step toward positive actions for change.
Find reputable agencies that focus on educating and actions to make our consumer culture more sustainable.
Eliminate Unnecessary Waste
Much of our consumer-driven society is waste. Everything we purchase comes in a package of some sort, often plastic. The problem with that packaging is plastics don’t biodegrade, meaning that when we discard the items, they sit in the landfill for thousands of years. Worse still is that scavengers such as birds and marine life digest those plastics where they sit in their digestive systems, slowly killing wildlife.
Support “Green” Businesses
Help eliminate unnecessary packaging and plastic use items by supporting local businesses that take a responsible approach. This strategy also includes the philosophy of supporting more locally operated stores and restaurants.
It’s an excellent thought to consider your purchase decisions as “voting with your dollar.”
By “voting with your dollar,” you’re helping businesses that make a more sustainable decision as well as encourages other organizations to follow suit.
You can make wholesale changes to your possessions, such as switching your pots and pans made from metal that takes a lot of energy to produce and move to much more sustainable products like ceramic cookware.
Participate In Citizen Projects
Most organizations that focus on the environment are nonprofits or non-governmental organizations (NGO’s). These organizations work on a shoestring budget and with minimal staff. Get involved, donate time and money to these groups trying to educate others while also creating programs that work to eliminate extra waste, striving for a more sustainable planet.
If you need an excellent example of an organization to volunteer with, consider a program like Surfrider Foundation that strives to clean beaches and clean oceans.
These suggestions to make a more sustainable world are great ideas for individuals, but what should a business do to make for a more sustainable future?
- Provide Remote Options: One strategy for organizations is to continue offering remote work opportunities long after society begins to open up. The impact of employees traveling to and from work is lessened by offering more remote possibilities, and a reduction of energy resources is needed at the office.
- Entice Public Transportation: Another suggestion is to encourage workers to consider public transit options or to carpool rather than individual vehicles. Much like offering more remote possibilities, enticing employees to carpool or use public transit can reduce the impact of too many cars on the road.
- Switch To Sustainable Packaging: Switching to more sustainable packaging for your products is a great way to become more sustainable. There are plenty of options toward a more sustainable future, from changing office toner, cleaning products, food packaging, and to-go containers.
- Lower Consumption And Recycle: Reduce consumption within the organization while reusing products that can be repurposed while recycling those that can be reformed and reused.
As 2020 disrupted the worst-case modern life, as societies worldwide can begin reopening, it would be wise to examine the positives that stemmed from the worldwide slowdown.
Making a concerted effort toward a more sustainable planet is a bold goal, and it would be wise for more businesses to take that philosophy.
Nickida
Nickida is a first-generation Trinidadian American wife and mother of four. She enjoys sharing recipes from her childhood growing up in Trinidad with her readers. Nickida has a son with Autism and shares posts around traveling with a child with special needs to help other families like her own. She loves television, movies and is a true 80's baby.
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