I have a friend named Sarah whose commitment to environmentalism is nothing short of inspiring. She doesn’t bother wrapping Christmas gifts; instead, she simply lays them out on Christmas Eve for everyone to admire. If there happens to be a spare gift bag from her kids’ birthday parties, she might use that. Sarah composts, grows her own veggies, and even keeps chickens in her backyard for fresh eggs. She avoids products with excessive packaging, especially plastics, and almost never shops on Amazon. Her family eats meat very rarely, opting for grass-fed and hormone-free options when they do. When they travel, they stick to local destinations, and their home runs on solar power. They drive an electric vehicle and practice minimalism. In essence, they are the most dedicated environmentalists I know.
While I admire Sarah and her family’s efforts, I often feel a bit daunted by their level of commitment. My approach to environmentalism seems quite modest in comparison. I buy almost everything secondhand, from my couch to my kitchenware, with the exception of a few items like my TV and mattress. In fact, I’ve turned thrifting into a sort of game: how can I beautify my home using only castoffs?
However, Sarah’s extreme dedication leaves me feeling inadequate. After all, not everyone can afford solar panels or an electric vehicle. Is it too much to ask for me to build a chicken coop in my backyard? And do we really need to wrap gifts?
Many of us may find ourselves caught in this trap—believing that our individual efforts aren’t significant enough because they aren’t grand gestures. The pressure to do something can feel overwhelming, as though we must check off every item on a long list of eco-friendly actions. If we can’t commit fully, we might question whether it’s even worth trying.
But don’t let that feeling of being overwhelmed stop you from taking action. You don’t need to go off-grid or completely eliminate plastic straws to make a difference. Life can be hectic, and piling on more tasks that feel impossible can lead to guilt and burnout. Instead, focus on small, manageable choices you can make consistently.
Making Small Changes
Most of us know that meat consumption, particularly beef, contributes significantly to global warming. While it’s not as impactful as fossil fuel use, it still matters. You don’t have to go vegan to contribute positively; simply reducing your meat intake can have a meaningful effect. If you currently eat meat three times a day, try limiting it to just one meal. If everyone reduced their meat consumption by two-thirds, it would significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions.
When it comes to plastic, the thought of eliminating it entirely can be daunting. It seems that nearly every product we buy comes wrapped in plastic. But just like reducing meat intake, you don’t have to go plastic-free overnight. Start by being mindful of your purchases. I try to limit the amount of plastic packaging in my shopping cart. For example, I buy produce without using those little plastic bags. I just toss the items directly into my cart, knowing I’ll wash them later anyway.
I also use reusable cloth bags instead of the plastic ones at the checkout. A small investment years ago has provided me with bags that I use consistently.
I admit, I still shop on Amazon, which often means receiving items in multiple layers of packaging, including plastic. While I know this increases my carbon footprint, I also recognize that I’d use gas to drive to the store if I didn’t shop online. I try to limit my Amazon purchases and order in bulk to reduce the number of deliveries.
Simple Changes to Start With
Here are a few simple changes you can start with to make a positive impact:
- Limit meat consumption to a certain number of times a week.
- Opt for secondhand items whenever possible.
- Bring reusable bags for grocery shopping.
- Skip the plastic bags for your produce.
- Avoid single-use plastic bottles.
- When shopping on Amazon, save items in your cart and order them all at once to cut down on deliveries.
And no, you don’t need to drive a Tesla, but hey, that would be nice!
I deeply admire Sarah’s commitment to environmentalism. Her efforts to help our planet inspire me, even if I can’t fully replicate her lifestyle. I do my best when I can, and that has to be enough. That’s really all any of us can do.
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Summary
You don’t need to adopt an all-or-nothing approach to make a positive environmental impact. Small, everyday choices can contribute significantly. Whether it’s reducing meat consumption, opting for secondhand items, or becoming more mindful of plastic use, every little bit helps. Find what works for you and remember that doing your best is better than doing nothing.