how to make a change in the world
By: Sophie McAdam, staff writer
True Activist.
How can I make a positive deviation in the earth? Where do I starting time? Which of the overwhelming number of urgent global bug should I focus my attention on first? These are questions nearly of us have asked ourselves at some indicate, but although being an active citizen tin can sometimes feel hopeless, think: you can only be responsible for your own actions, and major changes start at the grassroots level- just look at the Occupy movement. Maybe yous tin can't salve the globe, but you can save your lawn. And imagine what would happen if we all did the same? With that in mind, hither are 10 things you can do to get those green shoots growing in your own communities, expanding outwards like ripples in a swimming to inspire others and make changes on a big scale. As anthropologist Margaret Mead one time said: "Never incertitude that a modest, committed group of citizens tin can modify the globe; indeed, information technology'due south the only matter that always has." The following list could be longer- things like recycling, buying fair trade and avoiding plastic wherever possible are taken every bit given, for example. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments section, and whatever y'all choose to do, take fun with information technology!
ane. Join or launch a gift economy
Gift economies enable people to substitution appurtenances, services and favours without any need for cash payment. One of the best initiatives is freecycle, a global online gifting website based on the idea that one human'south junk is another human being's treasure. Why throw things into landfill sites when other people in your local expanse could make use of them? The chances are in that location is already a group in your town, only if not, creating a new group is quick and easy. Simply bank check the site's homepage, bring together the mailing list for your surface area, and see how many people you lot tin help past gifting your unwanted appurtenances and receiving whatever you lot need in return. Books, toys, furniture, electrical appliances and fifty-fifty cars are up for grabs. Another idea is to launch a skill swapping or time banking concern initiative in your community. These models allow for people to detect painters, carpenters, gardeners, babysitters, and any other services we all need occasionally, without worrying most payment in cash. After all, isn't fourth dimension the nearly precious affair nosotros have? Go a group of agreeing people together and start keeping a tape of the skills they can offering and what they would like to receive in exchange. Then merely match users, updating how many hours they have spent helping others and how many they are owed in render. In places like crisis-hitting Greece, bartering systems have enabled people living in poverty to continue life every bit normal, as this inspiring video shows.
ii. First your ain alternative currency
Want to do something a petty more ambitious than the suggestions in #1? Here'southward a challenge: why not cold-shoulder the budgetary organization altogether and launch a local currency for your own town or city? Culling currencies like Bitcoin are growing in popularity, and other local tenders accept been launched in cities effectually the world. They assistance to create a sense of customs, encourage people to shop locally, and are an constructive fashion of protesting the power of the banks. Hither is one example from Brighton, England. Moving your business relationship from a corporate banking company to a credit union is i simple way of active protest too- if yous can only do one thing, do this!
3. Politicians not listening? Be the alter you want to see!
What urgent bug are there in your expanse? Sometimes, rather than waiting for the elected leaders to listen to your concerns, the quickest and most constructive way of making a difference is to do it yourself. Possibly you live nigh a
beautiful declension or river that is polluted with plastic and industrial waste- why non organize a monthly clean-up functioning with like-minded people? If the local schools are unfit for purpose, get talking to other concerned parents about starting a home schooling branch, like this i in Atlanta. If there is logging in your customs, plant trees to counteract the damage. And whatsoever you do, tell the press- publicity for your cause could embarrass politicians into taking action!
four. Say no to GMO with your ain community garden
The best way of protesting GMO foods, boycotting supermarkets and inspiring others to practise the aforementioned is to get your hands dingy! Gardening is easier than you lot might think, not to mention rewarding and therapeutic. Supermarket fruit and vegetables will never taste the same after eating your own produce, and the best style to do it is to share the work. You don't need much land if you utilize the space well, and some local municipalities may offer allotments to residents for gratis on long-term leases. If non, find other people in your area who want to exercise the aforementioned thing. For beginners, lunar gardening (planting and sowing based on moon cycles) is an like shooting fish in a barrel manner to get started (whether you believe information technology or non, the effects will astound you), and this slap-up site offers lunar gardening calendars and all the data you need to outset growing your own delicious nutrient, while saving a fortune in the procedure. Once you have got started, launch an organic seed bank to share different varieties with other greenish-fingered folk, while protecting endangered organic strains for future generations.
5. First your own Avaaz entrada
The success of people-powered campaigning site Avaaz can't be understated. The site launched in 2007 and has more 17 million members worldwide and counting. Avaaz´s successes cannot exist understated; collectively its members take campaigned for l million deportment, staged almost 10,000 marches and flashmobs, raised over $15m for proficient causes, and taken on politicians and corporations at the highest echelons to win incredible victories on urgent environmental and human rights issues. Now, you can create your ain community petition hither, and with the ability of the internet to get together momentum for your cause, the possibilities are endless.
six. Make the most of your unique talents
We are all adept at something, and our special skills can always exist used for the good of all. What's your special skill? Have you ever considered using it (free of charge!) to brand a positive difference? Maybe you are good with engineering and could design a website for a charity or initiative close to your center. Maybe you lot are a people person who could fundraise and organize events with a big impact. Maybe you lot are artistic and could run fine art workshops for vulnerable people or kids in your customs. We all accept talents that make united states unique, and sharing these tin exist a gratifying style of making a positive difference. And fifty-fifty if you tin can't think of anything specific to share, volunteer! Go far touch with a charity that does great work and ask how you can get involved. Even if it's just one hour a week caring for an elderly person or spending time with people who demand it, you'll be making a huge divergence and will feel swell.
The chances are you are reading Truthful Activist because various things you lot watched or read take made a huge impact on your life and attitude towards the world. Which of these would yous want to share, and which would you like to borrow? A friend of mine opened up his garage as a community volume-lending service focused primarily on activism, asking others to donate their favorites too. Within weeks it had sparked the involvement of the local community, with DVDs added to the library and donations used to buy more stock. With so many libraries closing downwardly due to public spending cuts, launching your ain is fun, educational and a neat way of protesting the closures. Book-crossing is another style of sharing your favorite reads- simply leave a note inside the comprehend and leave the volume in a public place for someone to find, using the website to runway the book's journey.
8. Fund- or create- something awesome
Crowdfunding is one of the best things to have happened equally a result of the internet. With a click of the mouse you tin either create or fund a potentially world-changing project- check out Global Giving for some ideas of how y'all can aid, or ask for funding to create a project close to your heart.
9. Make a statement with guerilla art
Guerilla art is street art which is exciting, subversive, bearding and inspiring. Banksy is one of the nigh celebrated guerilla artists, making bold political statements through what was one time considered graffiti vandalism (his murals are at present collectables and sell for large coin at auctions, which although sad is a sign of the move'southward respect). Just you don't necessarily need to be artistic to get involved- the most important thing is that you take something to say! Guerilla art
includes leaving love letters for random strangers, or positive letters tucked in walls to make someone's twenty-four hour period. It includes 'seedbombing' (literally, bombing inner city areas with bloom seeds) which tin can turn an ugly urban jungle into a cute place in simply a few weeks. Inspiration for quick, effective projects can be found on artist and activist Keri Smith'south fantabulous blog here.
x. Exist kind
It may sound obvious, but in our stressful and fast-paced lives it's like shooting fish in a barrel to forget how important minor acts of kindness really are. Beingness prissy costs cypher and is probably the about of import thing of all we can do, every single day. Treating other people as you would like to be treated will make you experience warm and fuzzy, even if information technology'south just smiling at a stranger on the train or offering your seat to someone who needs it. Pay it forrad is a fantastic initiative (and inspirational book/film) which is based on the idea that for every adept deed you receive from some other, you pass it on to someone else. Making other people happy is scientifically proven to make you happy also, and what practice happy people brand? A happy world.
Sophie is a staff writer for Truthful Activist and a freelance feature writer for various publications on society, activism and various other issues. Y'all can read more of her stuff here.
Source: https://www.trueactivist.com/10-ways-to-make-positive-change-in-the-world/
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