Quick Climate Actions for a Busy Life
Busyness is a significant barrier that prevents people from advocating for political action aligned with climate science or from making sustainable changes in their own lives. Many of us are preoccupied with our own lives as the cost of living rises and the pressures of parenting become overwhelming. After a long day or a stressful week, the last thing we want to think about is climate change or activism.
While it is unrealistic for most people to dedicate extensive time and energy to climate activism, setting aside just 5-10 minutes a day or once a week for a single action can make a difference. This could involve signing petitions, writing to politicians, educating yourself, or choosing to purchase chemical-free products. Creating a habit to think about and take action to build momentum is important.
Additionally, it is important that we stay aware of for-profit corporate efforts to vie for our attention and free time, often to persuade us to buy things we don’t need, which ultimately harms the environment.
Here are some quick climate actions to consider:
Sign petitions: Signing petitions lets our representatives know where we stand on social and environmental issues, how we want them to vote, and what types of bills we want created. You can sign up to receive petitions from Stand.earth, NRDC, Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, and other environmental organizations that interest you.
Discuss climate change: Start conversations with friends and family to raise awareness about climate and ecological breakdown and actions we can take to prevent more environmental harm. It’s helpful to personalize it and talk about how climate will directly affect them, their children, and their health and safety. Research has shown that it can be helpful to focus on stories that elicit empathy and less on data and science.
Write to your representatives: Let your representatives know that you care about climate policies and that you expect them to create and vote for legislation that protects the environment and is in line with climate science. Get started by looking up the contact info for your local, state, and federal representative. You can schedule a meeting with your rep, call them, send an email, or mail a handwritten postcard or letter. Politicians have said that receiving a phone call, handwritten letters/postcards, and meeting in person are much more effective than emails and petitions. Elders Climate Action offers help with letter writing here.
Research and vote for climate-aware candidates: Voting for candidates who are informed about climate change and ecological breakdown is one of the most important actions we can take to ensure that our society moves towards renewables and urgent protection of critical ecosystems.
Buy reusable and sustainable products: Buying a reusable travel mug, bringing reusable bags to the store, buying products made of wood, glass, metal, etc. and other small changes set a good example for people around us and shift the culture towards sustainability and environmental awareness. Avoid fast fashion and other products that are only intended for short-term use.
Limit social media and be wary of advertisements: There is a lot of money that goes into advertising on the internet that is designed to convince us that we need to buy more, upgrade our tech, and keep up with the latest trends. Reducing exposure to ads can help reduce impulsive consumption, comparison, and give you more time for other hobbies and in-person connection with family and friends.
This results in a society that is under social pressure to buy and spend more than we ever have in the past to “keep up with our neighbors.” Even if it’s less popular, it’s important that we collectively transition away from excessive consumption and energy use and individually and collectively respect planetary boundaries.
Share articles about climate change on social media: Posting an article about climate change on social media can educate others and normalize talking about climate change, which so many people still avoid, minimize, or deny.
Buy second-hand: Consider thrift shops or online marketplaces instead of buying new. This will help reduce waste and normalize gifting and a circular economy over the current linear economy which pushes trashing perfectly good things, buying new, and infinite resource extraction on a finite planet.
**Listen to a climate podcast, read a book, or watch a documentary: Continue to educate yourself about climate change and share your knowledge with others! **
Also see the Actions available on the Earth Hero website, and articles such as, “30 Easy Ways to Kickoff a Sustainable Lifestyle” and “5 Easy Tips to Start Working and Living More Sustainably”.
Additional Resources - Climate Action for Busy People by Cate Mingoya-LaFortune - Amnesty International, The busy person’s guide to taking action for human rights
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