Why everyone must be on board to combat climate change

Climate change and biodiversity loss is the biggest problem we face as a planet. It impacts every human and living organism who calls this planet home, and it will take every human making a difference to preserve and improve our Earth for everyone.

Climate change will not discriminate. Sea levels will rise, species will go extinct, natural disasters will intensify and our planet will change with no regard for your skin colour, gender, sexuality, disability or background. Though of course climate predictions cannot be 100% accurate, we can be sure that it will effect all of us in some way. This is why it is so important that we develop sustainably going forward together; no one gets left behind.

Currently there is a lot of good awareness about climate change and environmental issues, but not a whole lot of substantial action from those in positions of authority. I believe as a pre-requisite for action we need a society where everyone is involved in the solution, not just ‘environmentalists’. Progress is clear – the youth climate strikes show that young people understand the problems and are willing to raise their voices about issues important to them. However there is still a feeling that being sustainable is only for some… it’s for all! Making conscious sustainable changes doesn’t have it be expensive, restrictive or lead to a lifetime of wearing potato sacks and eating cabbage. Being mindful of our consumption can actually lead to better financial relationships and a more fulfilling lifestyle. To do this, each person needs to look at their lifestyle as an individual and decide which parts they may be able to change or adapt. This could be your makeup routine, how you travel to work, what you are cooking or how you think about the things you consume. And that is something everyone can do.

This summer we all saw the impact of discrimination on our societies worldwide. We cannot hope to solve a global issue like climate change without first uniting together despite our differences to work as a whole. I understand that it is easy for me to write this coming from a place of privilege, but I hope by sharing this vision we can allow climate activists to make space for everyone to become involved. Even if you live in a city you perceive to be nature-deprived or feel that your one action won’t make a difference, there is always something that you can do. All these individual actions will add up until we have a global movement capable of creating real change. There is no place for hate or discrimination when we have such big problems to confront, so I hope this (quite rambling and lengthy) post inspires you in some way to know your worth as an individual to inspire change and to do so with everyone around you.