Do Your Individual Actions Matter?
4 reasons to be a climate hero
42
Do you see numbers? I do, and for years now, I’ve seen 42 everywhere! Cars, buildings, license plates, time, receipts - 42, 42, 42… Or maybe it’s not so much that I see 42, because I obviously see other numbers too, but for some reason, this number always stands out to me. “What is it with 42”, I kept asking myself, “what is this number trying to tell me?”
I can’t believe it took me two and a half years before turning to Google for answers. I guess I thought it was too random of a number to have any meaning at all, but low and behold, there was a lot to find! 42, apparently, has many different meanings and is even thought of as an “abundant number.” In The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy, Douglas Adams explains 42 as the "Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything," Pretty big stuff, huh? What really stood out to me was this description: “Life is what you make it.”
I’m not here to be superstitious and I won’t tell you that cryptic numbers and messages will save the world (I’m not quite there yet where I’ll turn to aliens for hope of a new tomorrow). However, 42 made an appearance again today on my morning walk, and every time I see it now, I remember those words. Life is what you make it!
When it comes to the work in facing climate change and co-creating a better world, I couldn’t think of a mantra that resonates more!
Photo: Jilbert Ibrahimi
Show up for the shit!
As the title implies, this week’s topic is about individual actions. Let’s start with the obvious - do they even matter?
I know it’s easy to feel like you’re just a tiny fish in a huge pond and that when it comes to systemic change and climate action, you really don’t have that much power. Sure, you recycle best you can, but why does it matter when your neighbors couldn’t care less? And why should you bring your reusable coffee mug when the next five guys in line will gladly accept the plastic-lined cup?
Because - life is what you make it, and because your individual actions are what make you!
I’m a firm believer in individual actions and I hope that after reading this article, you will be too. After all, we have nothing to lose, only a lot of exciting change and new opportunities to win! So what are we waiting for? Let’s change the world, people!
4 Reasons Why Individual (Climate) Actions Matter
1. Mend Anxiety
One of the main causes of climate anxiety is the feeling like we can’t do anything about it [the approaching threat, aka climate change]. The fastest way to mend climate anxiety is therefore to do something - anything! I call it rebel sanity, the satisfying thought that at least you are doing what you can to make a difference, and at the end of the day, that’s all you can do. Be the change you wish to see in the world and do it for yourself. Do it for your well-being and peace of mind! As soon as you start taking action, that anxiety will ease, and if you do it in the community of others, it’ll ease so much faster!
Yes, I believe that climate action is an act of self-love and empowerment. But if you still feel like that isn’t enough, if you still get stuck in the “but I’m still just a small fish…” rut, move on to the next three reasons…
2. Build Character
The choices we make on a regular basis become our habits and our habits define who we are. Not just to the world and other people, but also to ourselves. It’s the identity we apply to ourselves that has much deeper roots than we think, and with much greater impact than what we might recognize on the surface. If you go for a run every morning, for example, I take it you see yourself as a pretty healthy person. That healthy person will most likely order a salad over a burger for lunch, not drink too much after work (or skip the alcohol altogether), and go to bed at a decent hour. It’s not that you do all these things to punish yourself, it’s just who you are. And you like who you are so why would you live life any differently?
The same goes for environmental awareness and climate action. If you’re someone who’s genuinely concerned about the environment and chooses to bring your own bag to the grocery store, buy local as much as you can, and say no to plastic when possible, you don’t just do these things, you are that person! And the more you identify as this person, the more it will become a no-brainer to choose environmentally-friendly options whenever you can. You will most likely vote differently in the next election, choose a different travel style for your family vacation, and spark eco-conscious and climate-activating conversations with your friends.
Your daily choices build your character and determine how you see yourself. So, are you a climate hero or not? It’s really that simple - choose who you want to be!
3. Plant Seeds
Although I want you to choose to be a climate hero for yourself (because that’s how habits stick), you shouldn’t be blind to the fact that whatever you do has an accumulative impact! By showing up as the change you wish to see in the world, other people will see that, and without you even knowing it, you are planting seeds.
I can’t tell you how many times people have come to me and told me that because of something I said, did, or posted online years ago, they have now become more climate aware and changed their lifestyle and habits. Most often, these are people I would never expect to have any impact on whatsoever, and I’m always as pleasantly surprised to hear it!
I’m not saying this to be smug, I’m just making a point that it works! You do you and be damn sure that you’re changing the world around you in the process, which leads me to the last one…
4. Shift Norms
Habits build characters that plant seeds and inspire change, and in this beautiful process, we’re shifting culture and norms. This right here - the bigger, underlying shifts that take place - are truly what the individual actions are all about!
We’re social creatures (yes, even the most introverted ones) and we’re always - either consciously or subconsciously - picking up clues in our surroundings. Clues to what to eat, how to dress, what to say, and how to behave. We pick up on the norms and culture around us so that we can know how to fit in and be one of the tribe.
We all do this, to one degree or another, and that’s OK. In fact, it’s a beautiful thing to know as climate activists because it means that we have the power to actually change the world! We keep asking for “system change, not climate change”. Well, friend, we are that system, and the sooner we start acting differently, the faster we allow for that new system to take shape.
Photo: Laura Mitulla
So, do you.
Keep changing the world and show up for the small, daily actions that make you feel like a hero, and know that in all of this, you’re planting seeds and setting up the culture for positive change. The more of us that can be “weird” and say no to plastic and all other climate nerdy things, the sooner we can make it cool to care and shift the norms for a better world!
I bet you that if you start to think of your individual actions this way, you’ll begin to pay close attention to all the magic that’s already happening around you. Change is coming, and you’re very much a part of making that change happen. Does that mean we still need the big players (read governments, companies, and politicians) to step up and take bold action? 100% But remember that you are not insignificant. You - as a part of us, the collective - are the one who makes the ground move so that they (the bigger forces) have no choice but to make the jump and lay the foundation for a new world.
Feel more empowered now?
To wrap it up…
The 4 Reasons Why Individual Climate Actions Matter
Mend anxiety - Rebel Sanity
Build Character
Plant Seeds (Inspire Change)
Shift Norms & Culture
Do you give a crap? Leave a comment below with what individual actions mean to you!
This week’s affirmation:
I’m a powerful force for change.
Whatever I do I plant seeds and never know who I’ll inspire.
The world is shifting and I with it,
my actions matter!
This week’s challenge:
Write down three simple climate actions you can take in your daily life, starting today. What barriers exist for you to implement those into your daily routine and how can you overcome them?
Pick one to activate tomorrow and follow up with yourself at the end of the week. How did it go and how do you feel? Can you start adding on the other ones as well?
Keep recognizing the small hero actions and make them a natural part of your everyday life. Choose to be the change!
Have a great and empowered week, friends! See you back next week for more climate optimism!
- AT