"a vibrant, fair, and regenerative future is possible – not when thousands of people do climate justice activism perfectly, but when millions of people do the best they can."
Our armchair environmentalists often discourage us by saying we have to do it perfectly or not at all. Don't listen. It's not a game of all or nothing, nor is it going to be a linear journey. All we can do, for our loved ones, is decide where it makes sense to start within our financial, emotional and physical capacities.
And then we can take the next step, and then the next, and so on.
Living sustainably creates its own dynamic and has a strong positive feedback loop. Beyond the difficult feeling of sacrifice is the joy of knowing that we are living within planetary boundaries and contributing to a liveable future.
The following high-impact actions can be taken easily and quickly:
1. As a citizen
Vote in every election for serious climate policies that protect the climate future of our loved ones. Governments will only decouple from the fossil fuel industry and put people above profits if their citizens make them.
Think love, not right or left. A liveable future goes beyond identity politics. People working in politics must commit to transparent, realistic, budgeted policies to protect the climate future of their loved ones - as well as to meet their countrys' legal emission obligations.
Join a local environmental group or political party with serious environmental credentials.
Demand tax hikes on wealth and financial transations, and on income for the top bracket, in order to finance domestic and international climate mitigation and adaptation. Future costs of disaster response, insurance, security and living will be far higher than protecting our future now.
Demonstrate.
Sign petitions.
Donate money to green initiatives.
Believe in the power of your own voice. The more noise you make, the more accountability you demand from your leaders, the more our world will change for the better."
2. As a consumer
When our AE tells us that our next little purchase, or flight, or steak doesn't matter, remind it of the silver lining of those dark COVID days, when nature recovered in the brief period of our reduced activity. Let's remind ourselves that global leaders know how important our actions are. Trump was looking for just 11,780 votes back in 2019. And Coca Cola spends about US$4 billion per year on advertising to convince each individual to buy their drinks.
And the more money we have, the more stuff we can buy and do, and so the more emissions we’re creating. In the US, UK, EU and Japan, the richest 10% have carbon footprints about 15 times greater than the poorest 10%. And the world’s richest 10%, or those with an income above US$41,000 (£32,000), contribute 50% of global emissions. Oxfam International (2023). Climate Equality. A Planet for the 99%
The sea is made up of drops of water.
What you do is of significance.
Good places to start include:
reduce our energy consumption through transport decisions, heating / cooling choices and shopping. The Covid-19 pandemic and the global energy crisis of 2022 made us do things differently. Let's keep doing them.
reduce our meat intake and then shift towards a sensible plant-based diet. Will our kids thank us for the emissions of that steak? Let's move on from the hullabaloo about vegetarians and vegans – it’s not about identity. It’s about a livable future for our kids. Enjoy the company, don't sweat the meat.
rethink our mobility. Every trip by public transport, bike or by foot is a win for the climate future of our loved ones. When we plan in the extra time it might take, we can enjoy the physical activity, the sense of belonging to that family of commuters, and the time snatched away from airports and their queues.
think twice – and once again – before buying something. Let's keep, enjoy and repair the current models of our phones, skis, bikes, sports clothes, normal clothes, furniture, houses and personal accessories, cars …. the list is endless.
One-off impacts:
when we can afford it, install clean energy systems and green energy machines at home – and then use them less.
3. As a loved one and social influencer
Let's lean in and face up to what we can now all see and feel happening around us. Recognising our reaction to it may be one of the most powerful tools we have to motivate ourselves to act. Like so many of life’s difficulties, facing it and taking action is the only responsible way forward.
Let's talk about our fears.
Let's share our stories of action and change with our family, friends, colleagues, and fellow members of groups and associations. Taking action is a powerful antidote to climate anxiety.
And then get on and enjoy life with your loved ones, safe in the knowledge that you are doing all you can to protect their future.
“Climate change is the most overpowering and tragic example of wilful blindness.”
Over the past 8 years, the world's 60 biggest banks have poured $6.9 trillion into fossil fuels
4. Responsible banking & investing
Make sure our money isn't being used by our banks and investments to dig up the fossil fuels that emit the greenhouse gases driving climate change, or the gas that emits methane.
Let's use our power as investors to demand they invest in renewable energies, take concrete steps to de-invest in the fossil fuel industry and join the UN-convened Net Zero Asset Owner, Banking and/or Insurance Alliance.
Some useful online tools:
UN Net-zero banking alliance – check if your bank is a member
Draft letter to your bank demanding their action on climate-responsible financing
Fossil Banks, no thanks – up-to-date information on campaigns and successes in climate-responsible financing.
Inform yourself:
