"When we talk about conserving ecosystems, we're really talking about changing the way people interact with the environment. Conservation, ultimately, is a social process rooted in peoples’ choices."
To absolutely no one’s surprise, we talk quite a lot about conservation here at EarthShare. But, as more environmental funding is cut every day and we (at least, here in the United States) continue to fall farther behind on our conservation and climate goals, the challenge that stands before us is immense and—to name the elephant in the room—overwhelming. It’s scary, and it’s starting to feel impossible that we’ll hit our conservation goals in time to prevent significant, harmful environmental change.
When facing a challenge that impacts us all in such an acute and ever-present way, a problem that we as individuals cannot tackle on our own, the easiest thing (and, let’s be so real, the most tempting thing) is to throw up our hands and call it quits. Let someone else figure it out; I can no longer be bothered.
We completely understand that temptation; we face it every single day. Those of us who work in the environmental space are not immune. Having empathy for people and for the planet can be exhausting at times.
But giving up is simply not an option. So, what do we do?
Finding Your Focus
The biggest, most powerful “weapon” to use against apathy and complacency is planning and taking action in your own life. Does this sound unexciting and mundane? Perhaps. Is it also incredibly effective? Most definitely.
Having a go-to list of actions to take in support of a healthy planet—even if it’s just a short checklist at home to help you develop more sustainable habits on an individual level—can be extremely powerful. While we acknowledge that no single human or action can combat climate change, biodiversity loss, or any of the other large-scale environmental challenges we face today, communal action (working together) and community-based action are fundamental to achieving success in these areas.
Why? Because local solutions ARE the solution. You and your fellow community members are experts on where you live. You know what your local environment looks like, what it needs, what resources are available (or not) to make it—and your community members—healthier, and how you can tap into those resources (a.k.a., who you need to bother) to make it happen.
Focusing on one specific topic or pathway to get involved can help reduce decision fatigue, so you don’t have to think—just act. To make it even easier, we’ve compiled a detailed list of paths you can pursue to take action, especially at the local level, in support of the environment.
Path 1 
: Local Politics and Policymaking
Public opinion plays a HUGE role in the effectiveness and widespread adoption of sustainable policies at all levels of government. The more public concern is expressed, the more an issue is elevated to the top of the policymaking agenda. How can you, as a member of the public, engage in politics and policymaking?
You can:
- VOTE | Make your voice heard and elect candidates you think best represent you and the interests of your community—particularly as it relates to the environment.
- ATTEND MEETINGS | Civic participation includes attending local council or town hall meetings, protesting, and advocating for the environment in public spaces. These can all be HIGHLY effective when it comes to influencing policy formation.
- ENGAGE DIGITALLY | Use social media to elevate marginalized voices, combat the spread of misinformation, and encourage action from your fellow community members and elected officials.
- BE A CONSULTANT | Citizens are frequently referenced as experts for policymaking in and around their communities. Join a survey, focus group, poll, or attend public hearings to voice your experience and/or opinion.
Path 2 : Advocacy and Public Outreach
Creating, running, or participating in education-based advocacy work and public outreach is a great way to dispel disinformation when it comes to conservation and sustainability and help others in your community understand the current state of the natural world and what can be done to help.
You don’t have to be an expert, either. There are tons of great resources online that you can share to help spread the word and teach members of your community—especially students—about ongoing conservation solutions.
One great example? (Shameless plug incoming:) The 30×30 Project is a microsite that breaks down ten key solutions contributing toward the goal of conserving 30% of our global lands and waters by 2030. Meet some of the nonprofits doing this crucial work and learn how you can get involved!
Path 3 : Workplace Initiatives and Sustainability Teams
You may not be able to influence the sustainability of your company’s supply chain, but you can certainly support sustainability initiatives in your own office. Recycling programs, including collecting cans and other beverage-related recyclables, sustainability education, and waste-reduction initiatives are all great ways to engage your coworkers and make your office a more environmentally friendly place.
Does your office have a green team? Volunteer to join up or talk to HR to get one started.
Get started with these 10 Tips to Make Your Business More Sustainable.
Path 4 : Community Clean-Ups
Beautification projects aren’t limited to simply making your community look nicer (although, that’s also important for community pride and garnering environmental support), they keep our natural spaces clean and ecosystems functioning as they’re supposed to for the health and wellbeing of everyone.
Cleanups don’t have to be huge, either. Schedule a time to pick up litter in your neighborhood, in a local park, creek, river, or lake—or specific portion of them—or focus on picking up trash in a specific parking lot, block, or street corner. Every little bit helps!
Path 5 : Work with Local Nonprofits and Businesses
Find out who is doing conservation and sustainability work where you live and how you can get involved. Check out EarthShare’s list of Nonprofit Partners across the country to get started and help support local solutions.
Encourage the businesses you frequent often to adopt more sustainable practices—like switching to compostable takeaway containers or using paper bags instead of plastic.
Path 6 : Pursue Education
Feel called to pursue sustainability in more depth? Consider getting a degree in environmental science, ecology, wildlife biology, environmental economics, or one of the many fields of study that promote a better understanding of the relationship between humans and nature.
Already have a job or degree and don’t have the time/money to pursue a new one? Look for certifications or courses that can help you incorporate sustainability and/or conservation principles into the work you’re already doing.
Path 7 : Support the Experts
Stand by scientists, researchers, and authors. Despite a federal push to ignore science in favor of… well, we’re not quite sure. Fantasy? Delusions? It’s hard to say exactly…it’s more important than ever to support environmental scientists, researchers, and authors who are diligently pursuing—and teaching us all about—the true state of the environment and what can be done to support a healthier tomorrow for all. Read their books, papers, and resources, attend their lectures, and follow them on social media. However you prefer to engage, make sure you’re showing up for the professionals who have dedicated their lives to transparency and truth in the sciences.
Path 8 : Join Citizen Science Projects
If you’re a fan of experimenting and getting into the thick of environmental discovery and exploration, citizen science projects are perfect for you. Check in with local nonprofits, universities, and municipal agencies to see if they need help with things like water quality testing, soil quality testing, or species identification and tracking. These are just a few of the ways everyday citizens are helping collect data for ongoing research and monitoring projects—and you could be a part of it.
Path 9 : Care for Your Space(s)
While it may seem obvious, managing our indoor and outdoor spaces is a key component to our own impact on the environment. Whether you live in an apartment, condo, house, or camping van, how you keep your space matters.
Have a yard? Maintaining native plant species leads to healthier soil, thriving ecosystems for native animals and insects, and better water runoff absorption and filtration. Keeping toxic pesticides/insecticides out of your home prevents insect populations—and the animals who eat them—from harm.
You might also consider removing invasive species, building and installing habitat boxes and shelters for wildlife (e.g., birdhouses and bat boxes), creating a rain harvesting system for watering your garden, and composting your food waste (you can even do this in apartments!).
Path 10 : Assess Your Habits
There are so many ways we can support sustainability in our everyday lives. Making swaps to more sustainable brands and products as you finish using the items you already own is a great, simple way to make a positive change. For example, swapping to tablet-based cleaning supplies (way less plastic!) and detergent sheets (rather than pods) to do your washing. When you do make purchases, buy from local small businesses, farmers markets, or co-ops—it keeps carbon emissions down and supports your local economy.
Other sustainable practices you may want to consider:
- Purchase renewable energy. You don’t have to have solar panels to be able to use renewable energy sources. Many energy providers give you the option to attribute some or all of your energy usage to renewable sources, helping to support local renewable projects and increase demand for them.
- Thrift and upcycle. Ask yourself: is this something I need new? The next time you need a piece of furniture, a set of dishes, a new (to you) outfit, or art for your home, check out secondhand stores local to you—you can reduce waste and find great deals at the same time!
- Reassess where you bank. Financial institutions play a massive role in total global carbon emissions. These institutions provide loans for energy, mining, and infrastructure projects—the majority of which heavily favor fossil fuels. Save your money with a bank or credit union whose mission and investments align with your values.
Path 11 : Engage Children
Teach the kiddos in your life about healthy, sustainable habits and how to properly respect nature. Get them involved in kid-focused citizen science projects, conservation education experiences, and answer their questions—there are tons of online resources to help you out. Many environmental nonprofits also have kid-centric programming, too!
Our kids are our future, and providing them with the tools, vocabulary, and resources to be able to talk about and understand the natural world around them is crucial to their future success as human beings and environmental stewards.
Get Creative
As you can see, there are so many ways for you to get involved in conservation, sustainability, and overall creating a better world and future for us all. Didn’t see anything on this list that strikes your fancy? Get creative!
There are plenty of ways to challenge the status quo; so many things that we could be doing better, more efficiently, and more sustainably. Be the squeaky wheel, be the independent thinker, be the voice for change. Our planet needs you.
