Consider These Small Acts Of Environmental Social Impact
Living your values through the ways in which you consume is not THE answer, but can make small but important differences especially on the environmental side of the ledger.
Back in 2011 the USPS encouraged American's to "Go Green" through small acts of home improvement ... More like adding insulation.
With that in mind, I reached out to a number of social impact leaders for their advice on small steps they believe are meaningful.
'Small steps add up and matter,' said Maureen Carlson of Rebuilding Together, a national non-profit organization focused on repairing homes and making modifications to improve safety and accessibility for low-income homeowners.
Rebuilding Together CEO Maureen Carlson leads her organization in rehabilitating homes and ... More encourages everyone to make their residences more energy efficient.
'Something as simple as installing weather stripping or LED lightbulbs can make a difference,' Carlson continued. 'This does not mean that systemic change is not necessary, it just means that if we wait for global systemic change to be mandated among different countries and their leadership, we will have wasted the opportunity to create small changes in our communities that together can make a big difference against the global critical need.'
Phil Haid, CEO of the social impact agency Public, was one of several people who advised focusing on shopping one's environmental values.
A study released earlier this year by Public suggests ways to move people to buy from more ... More sustainable brands.
Haid rejected the argument that such consumption-based activity was too small or passive to count. 'If every person made the intentional choice to be a conscious consumer (which currently sits at 38%) the impact would be massive,' he said. 'We could phase out internal combustion cars. Move to plant based dairy. Eliminate toxins from our cleaning supplies. And substantially reduce the 85% of textiles from fast fashion that end up in landfills. Individual conscious choice is systemic change when the public is mobilized at scale.'
Buying from brands that invest in nature restoration is powerful, said David Luba, co-founder of tentree, an apparel company that combines clothing sales with a commitment to environmental sustainability by planting trees for every item purchased. To really make an impact, however, consumers should share what they're doing with family and friends, he emphasized. 'Whether it's at a dinner table, workplace, or online, those climate celebrations build awareness and inspire collective action. Systemic change is essential, but it often starts with everyday choices that challenge the status quo.'
The dining table is an especially important nexus of values and consumption, said Bill DiMento, Vice President, Corporate Sustainability & Government Affairs, High Liner Foods.
Bill DiMento oversees sustainability at High Liner Foods.
An smart issue to focus on: reducing household food waste, DiMento said. 'Be planful when purchasing groceries and consider opting for frozen food items, which offer more flexibility and a longer shelf life, when possible,' he stressed. 'Remember, wasted food means wasted water, energy, and money, and nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food that ends up in landfills!'
How we go out to get our groceries or otherwise get around is another area of important choice, according to Anisa Kamadoli Costa, chief sustainability officer of Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer. 'Driving an EV is one of the most effective and win-win actions we can take as consumers,' said Kamadoli Costa. 'After a home, buying a car is the largest purchase most of us will make, and study after study shows that EVs have lower lifetime emissions than comparable internal combustion engine vehicles.'
Whatever you decide to do on this front, let companies know that you are voting with your dollars, advised Deanna Bratter, Chief Sustainability Officer at Crocs. 'Brands, especially the good ones, listen and respond to consumer needs and interests,' Bratter explained. 'The more consumers ask for, and even demand, meaningful action from businesses - from sustainable materials and packaging to reducing carbon - the greater the likelihood those brands will invest in the transformation required to deliver it.'
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