What you can do

The solutions to big problems such as climate change, waste and loss of biodiversity involve changing large scale systems, which can seem daunting.  However big changes can start with individual changes. Each one of us has different aspects of ourselves we can use to help solve these problems, as citizens, as community members, as workers and as we live our day to day lives.

You are a citizen: Probably the most important thing you can do is to use your power as a citizen.  Talk to your elected representatives about environmental issues, let them know environmental issues are important to you, join campaigns and organisations who are working on environmental issues, and think of the environment when you vote.

You are a community member: We are all members of many different communities, family, faith communities, friends and other groups.  Many people do not yet understand enough about environmental issues. You can use any opportunities that arise to share your ideas, experiences and information about environmental issues.  You can also join groups who improve the environment through picking up waste from beaches (Nipe Fagio) or planting trees in public areas.

You work and invest: Another thing you can do is improve the environment through your work. If you have a choice about what work to do in your life, choose work which will help solve environmental problems, or at least not make environmental problems worse.  You can make changes or influence others in your work or workplace. If you have money to invest, invest it in projects which will benefit and not harm the environment.

You live your day to day life: The other thing you can do is live your life in a greener way, which is the focus of the rest of this green guide.  Lots of individual changes can add up, and customer demand for change can affect businesses and supply. In addition, living your life in a greener way is a way of living your values and backing up the other three aspects of what you can do above.

Next: What you eat and drink

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