How you can make a difference (without too much effort)

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, you have never slept with a mosquito. ” Dalai Lama

We are not supposed to save the world all on our own – just our little corner of it.

And if we all do that, there will be ripple effects in our community and ultimately on the planet. So just do your bit, the bit that really gets you fired up, and inspire others to do the same!

Here are some suggestions of varying degrees of difficulty or effort that will allow you to make a difference (please note that this is not an endorsement of any of the organizations listed; they are merely the examples I am familiar with).

Change is best negotiated slowly and incrementally, so start by finding one or two that are really easy, and once you have implemented them, find the next easiest ones etc:

Change your web browser to “ecosia”. They plant trees with their ad money.

Offset your carbons, by donating to Greenfleet (a charity) or Climatefriendly

Check your bank’s and superannuation’s credentials and choose institutions that have a triple bottom line: economic, social and environmental standards. Examples are Bank Australia and Australian Ethical Superannuation. Or barring that, choose the ethical version that your superannuation offers, or bank with a credit union so you aren’t supporting the big 4 with their questionable investments and practices.

Buy your groceries and other goods from locally owned stores. This keeps the money you spend in the community, instead of being siphoned off, probably overseas. You are also more likely to get produce that hasn’t been stored for months or years and hence lost all its nutritional value.

Pick up litter if you see it.

Stop using plastic straws. Seriously, why are straws being given to adults who should be perfectly capable of drinking from a glass??? They take millennia to break down, and do untold damage to our wildlife in the process. If you are seriously addicted to straws, buy a bamboo one and take it with you. Wildlife eats plastic bags, too, which clogs up their systems and makes them starve to death.

And while I am on the plastic soap box, use less plastic in general. Most plastics are harmful because they are toxic, and because they disrupt the hormonal systems of animals and humans alike. Use cotton bags or baskets to carry your shopping. Cover your leftovers with a small plate. Use butcher’s paper for your sandwiches. Use soap bars instead of liquid dispensers. Etc!

Support companies like “Who Gives a Crap” and “Thank you” whose profits go to help people in developing nations getting access to basic necessities like water and sanitation.

Use a steel water bottle. Firstly, it’s healthier for you (the plastic leeches into the water in the bottle), and secondly it reduces the plastic in the environment.

Buy organic as much as possible. If you have to choose between organic meat or veg, choose organic meat. The animals have generally had a much better life, so their meat contains less stress hormones, and animals concentrate the toxins they are exposed to in their bodies. The exception is wheat, which is sprayed with glyphosate (aka roundup – a “probably carcinogen”) just before harvesting, to make the seeds bigger and easier to harvest. Glyphosate doesn’t disrupt human metabolism (well, that we know of so far), but it does kill off the beneficial bacteria in your gut.

For organic veg, buy from the health food shop or green grocer – the supermarket organics are generally wrapped in plastic and presented on Styrofoam trays…..

If you would like an animal companion, take in a stray from a shelter. Or buy from a breeder you know, so you are not supporting a puppy farm.Grow your own vegetables.Choose to walk or cycle rather than driving as much as possible.

When giving gifts, give experiences, such as a massage or a fancy dinner, rather than “stuff”. Most people have far more stuff than we need.

Recycle.

Compost.

Reuse.

For bin liners (or dog poo bags), get “compost-a-pack” or similar, which are made from plant derived materials, and take your plastic shopping bags back to the store for recycling.

Don’t use plastic cutlery – just take your regular stainless steel stuff and wash it! Same goes for take-out cups for drinks.

Use a bamboo tooth brush.

For menstrual needs, use a moon cup, or reusable cloth pads (radpads) or menstruation underwear (thinx) or if you really can’t handle your blood, use organic pads or tampons (TOM or Natracare). You don’t know what chemicals are seeping into your body through the delicate mucus membranes from conventional pads and tampons.

Support your favourite cause and/or charity with time, money or campaigning. Sponsor a child – often the whole community benefits.

Smile. Your smile just might light up someone’s day!

Give hugs and thanks authentically. Switch off the tv and connect with your loved ones in real time and space!