How You Can Be A Climate Warrior

With the recent pandemic, economies crashing, unemployment numbers through the roof, it's easy to forget about the problem that we all are quickly facing - the climate crisis. This may not be at the front headlines or talked about as frequently as it was but it's something that every single person should keep in the back of their minds. Just within the past few weeks, the Arctic Circle recorded its highest temperatures at 38 degrees celsius (over 100 degrees fahrenheit) sparking a heatwave in the Siberian complete with an increase in wildfires not generally known to this area as well as the ongoing Norilsk oil spill caused by an oil pipeline collapsing under the extreme heat.

Through all this time of crisis and worry, it's easy to feel incredibly helpless and overwhelmed. Where would you even start? Aren't big businesses to blame? How can me as one small person help? First things first... everyone has a voice. You can vote. You can share. You can educate others. Yes, you may be one person but by voting, sharing, educating, you are getting more people involved, turning your one voice into many. There are thousands even millions in this eco-community with very similar ideals and wants to protect our planet. You may think you're alone but you're most definitely not.

Once you've overcome that hurdle that you are not alone, you are ready to become a climate warrior helping to change some aspects of your own life, sharing changes with others and relating the message to all who is willing to hear. How can you get started?

1. Make gradual changes in your own life. Whether you make small eco-swaps over time like changing from shampoo bottles to a shampoo bar, waste less food or eat less meat, it's important to do what you can and demonstrate that for others. You can't just preach that climate change is real without showing any changes you're making to your life. I still struggle with this today. I still eat meat, but eat less of it, I've made small changes over time to equate well over 20 changes in my life and I recycle and compost when I used to never before. Your eco-footprint should be your own top priority before worrying about others!

2. Join a community - either in your own city or online. It's hard to meet up with people during times of COVID but Zoom Happy Hours and group chats are all the rage now! When I first started on my journey, I didn't join any groups... and I can see why I didn't make a significant impact. Now, I am a part of over 10 different sustainable and eco-focused groups on Facebook, subscribe to so many different eco-newsletters that I read daily and have my amazing community on Instagram to help keep me motivated and hungry for more change. Thanks to the Instagram community, I came across several people in my own city who are also climate and eco warriors in their own way. I would never have found them without that community!

3. Vote! Change comes from politics, whether that's hyperlocal, regional or national. If you want changes to occur to your state or country, voting is one way to make that happen. The people have the option to elect those that they share their ideals with. Advocate to your friends, families and followers why this person is the best fit. If you have the time, even volunteer for their campaign. Do what you can to get that person or group of people elected.

4. Contact your representatives. Share your voice with your elected representative. Yes, it's easier said than done. Most of the time, you feel like you're just simply wasting your breath and your time. Let me tell you something - you're not. How do you think George Floyd's killers got charged? Ahmaud Arbery's case to go national? You have the right for your representatives to hear your opinion and your voice. If you simply aren't communicating with those people, how will they know what's important to the public?

5. Question your favorite shops, restaurants, online stores and more on why they don't implement eco practices or spend your money elsewhere. Much like your representatives, change doesn't occur until companies, shops, etc hear from the customer. If you don't like that they use plastic packaging in their online orders, ask why they don't switch to an eco-friendly alternative? I've seen so many example of this with big corporations, such as Colgate. An eco-warrior emailed the corporation on when they will provide more sustainable options for toothbrushes and future products. The company emailed back, sharing their plan for the next few years and their latest product - a bamboo toothbrush that will soon be available. May a company isn't on the trajectory you want them to be on. Shop elsewhere. Your dollar matters. Let that company know why you won't be shopping with them any more until they change their practices.

There are so many ways you can truly be a climate warrior. From protesting, to working for companies that advocate for change, signing petitions, group meetings and more, but to get yourself started, take a few steps at a time. You'll be surprised how those steps quickly add up.

You can do it, climate warrior <3

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash