Earth Day 2021: Change Your World
Your impact is small. We hear it all the time. Your individual action will have such a tiny impact on the environment it almost doesn’t matter at all.
It’s pretty much true.
And that’s okay.
Unless you’re a Bill Gates, Elon Musk, or Mark Zuckerburg, most people’s actions have very little effect on the world as a whole. The same goes for your impact on climate change and the environment. Depending on who you talk to, some people might use that information in different ways:
Hakuna Matata
Some may tell you that your impact is negligible, so don’t worry so much. “Use your gasoline powered car. Use your AC. Eat as much meat as you want. It’s the big companies and governments that have to change.” It’s not your job to make big changes, so don’t worry about it so much.
We, The World
Others may tell you that your actions matter in a collective; that if everyone changes together, it will have a big impact, so you should do what you can. We all need to act together and become one.
There’s some truth to both of these styles of messaging. Neither is necessarily wrong.
What’s more important than changing the world? Changing your world.
I tend towards a different message: There’s a lot in this world that is out of your control and that’s okay. But in your own world, you control everything. You are in control. So get to know yourself: your morals, your values, and focus on what you can control, and you will find that what is more important than changing the world is knowing that you’re doing what you can to make a difference.
“…What is more important than changing the world is knowing that you’re doing what you can to make a difference.“
What matters is not how much change you make in total, but whether you’re using all of your potential, whether you’re doing all that you can; all that is within your power. Because if you have the ability to change something (no matter how small), and you choose to change nothing, then what do you become? Someone who could’ve acted but didn’t.
Start small, and your control may grow.
I don’t know about you, but I would rather make a small imperceptible change to the world than none at all. Especially if it gives me a feeling of control. Especially if it means that I start living by my own values. Especially if it makes my world a better place. Even if your individual contribution is small, it’s possible for that contribution to grow. Greta started with a handwritten sign on the steps of parliament. She was lucky enough to gain worldwide attention and help start a whole movement of young climate activists. It may not be measurable, but now her impact on the planet is significant. Start small, and your control may grow.
If you love the ocean or the beaches, go out and try cleaning one beach this year. If you love the mountains, plant a tree during your next hike. If you love the smell of crisp, clean air, then try to drive less and ride a bike more. Yes, these are all very small actions on a global scale, but they are full of meaning to you. They are within your control.
You can change 100% of your world.
You can’t change much of the world. But you can change 100% of your world. You are in control of what happens in your life. So start with things in your control. You have the potential to change 100% of your world.
Who knows?
Just maybe your life will align more with your values and you’ll find happiness.
Just maybe you’ll discover you had more potential than you thought.
Just maybe you’ll change the whole world.
There’s a lot of “just maybe”s.
So just maybe, give it a try: Take control and be the changes you want in your world, and you’ll see the benefits grow. It may seem hard, but if you give it a try, I predict you’ll enjoy it more than you think. Don’t you?
Happy Earth Day 2021
