“If we start with something, work together, and stay ambitious, hope stops being a thing we wait to feel and becomes something we create.” —Malala Yousafzai
Start with something. Choose one or two easy changes to make, perhaps swapping single-use water bottles for a reusable one or refusing plastic bags. Commit to your action and allow it to lead you to another “something” you can do for Earth.
Work together. Join or create a local effort, perhaps to clean up a waterway or to help plant a pollinator garden. Or donate to a large-scale organization that can use your support to make a greater difference.
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Stay ambitious. The goal is big change. Start with a small action, but keep your eyes, mind, and heart open to opportunities that move you—and those with you—closer to what you desire for the sake of Earth and all its inhabitants.
Act for the good of all. Individual actions have a collective impact. For example, when one person installs solar panels or buys an EV, it signals that renewable energy is desirable. When more individuals buy in, that creates demand, which drives down cost, expands investment, creates jobs, and pressures politicians to deliver for their constituents. Apply the same principle to all the places you can act for good.
If a move is on your timetable, flatten any shipping boxes you receive and store them for when you need to start packing. If you’ve just moved, advertise through your networks to find someone who can use the boxes again.
Use and reuse the same natural fiber dryer balls 1,000-plus times instead of single-use, chemical-laden dryer sheets. Think of the difference for your wallet, your health, and the landfill.
For packed lunches for school, purchase foodstuffs in the largest package available and then divvy them out into reusable containers for the day. Avoid the trash of “snack size” packaging that adds to the landfill, teach your children an alternative to the throw-away culture, and empower them to do something good for the environment.
Change your light habits. To save money and Earth, transition to LED bulbs. Also, engage the whole family in turning off lights when they are not in use. This easy practice is a reminder to care for Earth in other actions too.
Avoid the toxic trio: food, plastic, and heat. Do not cook meals in a sealed plastic bag. Don’t heat up leftovers in plastic in the microwave. The heat releases chemicals from the plastic into the food you consume.
Tree planting season (September–March) is coming. Now is the time to investigate potential tree sources and planting services, including local government, nonprofit foundations, and nursery businesses. Trees pull down carbon from the atmosphere and nourish the soil, provide habitat and food for birds and other pollinators, and give shade in the summer and allow sun in the winter, reducing the need for fossil fuel energy.
Yes, One Person Can Make a Difference!
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The United Methodist Creation Justice Movement is providing these Tips as a tool to equip church members, families, and individuals to respond to God's call to care for creation and do justice with our neighbors. For more about the UM Creation Justice Movement, go to umcreationjustice.org.