WANT TO HELP SOLVE THE PLASTIC PROBLEM BUT NOT SURE HOW TO HELP?
As an individual there are 4 key ways you can join the revolution: Support, Reduce, Clean Up, and Speak Up.
In this post we’re going to focus on one of the easiest and most effective ways: Support.
You already know your daily decisions can change the world. That’s why you vote at the ballot and with your wallet.
But, are you getting the most of your efforts?
Here are some of the best thing about supporting good stuff:
- It’s the easiest way to start having an impact
- You can start today
- You don’t have to change your lifestyle
- It’s not going to cost you anything
We believe every vote counts. Whether it’s at the ballot box or the checkout line. If you also believe your vote counts and you share our vision for a sustainable economy, here are a few ways you can take action:
Support Businesses That Do Good
Are you giving your hard-earned dollars to a company that supports the future you’re working toward? Or are you supporting a company that simply wants to turn a profit?
Find the brands that are genuinely working to solve environmental problems you care about like plastic pollution. We have a variety of choices in almost every product category from food to clothing and there are new products coming to market to meet the demands of conscious consumers.
Here are some quick tips to supporting good businesses:
- Watch out for greenwashing – Most brands are savvy to the fact that informed shoppers want to support “green” companies. Not all marketing is genuine. Don’t take all labels for face value. Give yourself some leeway and learn as you go. Do your research before you guy and find brands you trust…
- Do your research – Search online, get recommendations from friends, and leverage apps like Buycott to help you. If a company shares the same values as you about protecting our environment, they should have clear information about that on their website and it should be evident in their products and actions. If it’s not… find the best alternative.
- When possible, shop local – In general local businesses have more skin in the game when comes to your community. It’s also more likely you can meet the business owner and see what they really think about key issues you value.
Support Organizations That Do Good
You don’t have to be a big donor to make a difference.
It’s not difficult and it doesn’t take much time to support an organization that is having a considerable impact in your community.
I know you have a specialty you’ve been cultivating over the last 5, 10, or more years. Maybe you’re the best artist around, you are a social media pro, or you’re great at working with people.
Whatever your skill is, there is an organization near you that needs it dearly.
Yes, you!
And it doesn’t have to be a major commitment. Half a day’s worth of your time each month is enough to make a huge impact in an organization.
If you don’t believe me try this and see what happens:
- Make a list of 3-5 things you’re good at
- Google a cause you are passionate about and find a group near you
- Call them and tell them “I’m good at these 3-5 things and I want to donate 5-10 hours of my time per month. How can I help your organization?”
If you’re not sure where to start, check out the organizations I support that are working toward solving the plastic problem: Changemakers: Plastic
Support Representatives That Do Good
I know, “They are so ineffective and corrupt. We don’t have any good choices anyways”.
That’s not necessarily true…
Revolution is the on the doorstep when things are at their worst. And we are now close to a tipping point.
Corruption in American politics is at an all-time high. Consideration for our environment is at an all-time low. And government as ineffective as ever.
Conditions are ripe for revolution and (almost) everyone knows it.
That’s why new candidates are starting to run on a new promise with central themes addressing our concerns: corruption, environmental degradation, and stagnation.
Even if you’re voting for a candidate who doesn’t have the majority of support from a leading party, vote for them anyways. Cast your vote showing that you support the values they represent. Encourage them to continue to fight for what you believe in.
Tip: You don’t have to go it all on your own. If you’ve taken action on helping an organization that shares your values for a better world you can lean on them for advice. Don’t feel like you have to spend all weekend before voting day reading the biographies of each candidate. Find groups you can trust that will help you make a decision that fits your values.
Support Legislation for Good
Influencing legislation doesn’t have to be painful and it’s one of the biggest ways to influence our future.
Key initiatives come up fairly regularly and your input as a citizen will either drive them to success or failure.
You don’t have to know all of them and you don’t have to be an expert to make good decisions.
We get emails monthly asking us to support a petition on a particular piece of legislation. We follow organizations we trust that help break down complicated
Whether it’s signing a petition on plastic bags in a city or writing a letter to a representative to ask them to vote down a bad bill… it doesn’t take much time and it contributes to building the type of world we want to live in.
How long does it take? Usually less than 2hrs per month (if you’re doing your due diligence).
Subscribe to Green America, pick the topics you value most, and learn about how to support them. Often times it’s simply a matter of signing a digital petition.
Really. It’s easy, you’ll be a more informed citizen, you’ll feel good that you’re doing something to support the future you believe in rather than feeling bad about letting it slip by, and that feels good.
Congratulations
If you’re taking action on any of these points, we want to say, “Thank you!”
You’ve just joined an international coalition of folks working toward the future we believe in. A future where:
- Responsible companies thrive and irresponsible companies are less profitable
- Representatives work for the people, not the companies that support their campaigns
- Organizations do good work get the support they need to have a bigger impact
- Legislation that supports a sustainable economy is commonplace
Want to keep learning? Here are a few other ways you can make a difference: