Chances are you’ve seen many news reports and read articles about climate change and the plastic problem in our oceans.
If you’re anything like me you’ve probably been reducing your use of single use plastic, gone back to buying fresh produce in paper or reusable cloth bags and cut down your intake of meat and dairy over the last few months (or even years).
BUT….
I feel like we’ve been approaching this in the same way we try to lose weight…
We don’t really want to change our lifestyles THAT much and how much is that occasional chocolate cupcake really going to harm our progress anyway?
In the same way as few of us hit our weight loss goals very easily, it’s a major concern that we aren’t going to hit these targets for reducing pollution, plastic and environmental damage.
I feel it’s time that we stopped playing small.
It’s time to dig deep, make uncomfortable changes and really begin to make the changes we wish to see in the world.
It all starts with us.
Yes, of course we want manufacturers to stop making plastic BUT first there has to be less demand for said plastic!
Food shopping in the UK is almost easy in comparison to the amount of plastic that infiltrates every other area of our modern, spoilt, luxurious western lives.
I’m afraid I don’t have all the answers but I can tell you this with absolute certainty…
It starts with YOU.
Here are my three tips to motivate you to pull up your big girl pants and make a difference in the world TODAY:
- Increase your AWARENESS: Watch documentaries, read books, listen to podcasts and interviews. Spend more time listening to knowledgeable people.
- Boost your LEARNING: As your awareness and knowledge grows, start to share it with others. Set a good example to your kids, begin initiatives in the office, write a blog, give a talk, have conversations and teach others all you’ve learnt.
- ADAPT your lifestyle: No, it’s not easy at first. Change is inherently difficult but remember WHY you’re doing this: For the future of all beings on this planet. This isn’t about some future date thousands of years away, this is about our generation right NOW. In 12 years (or perhaps less) we could damage our planet beyond repair and be at the mercy of massive natural disasters leading to mass migration and widespread destruction.
- Keep repeating this cycle. Never stop learning, growing and raising your awareness of the issues in your community, your country and your planet.
Unlike Dr Who who has a space ship to travel through time and space to find a new home, we only have planet Earth.
Let’s treat our Mother Earth, and all beings on it, with the love and respect it deserves.
Lorraine xx
Photo credit: Dikaseva on Unsplash