Positive Action
Systemic change is by far the best way to make the biggest impact. Here are some things you can do, organisations to support & information on how to contact your representatives.
Write to government representatives
This is an excellent resource making it easy to contact the relevant representative with any compliments or concerns you have.
“As a UK citizen, you have many representatives, at several levels of government. Each of them has a different set of responsibilities, and it is worth making sure that your message goes to the person who is best placed to help you.” Here’s their page about who to write to depending on what you are writing to them about.
Rewilding Britain
Rewilding is a powerful, positive and regenerative way to slow climate change. Peatland, woodland, wetland and marine environments absorb and store huge amounts of carbon. By restoring habitats we can reintroduce beautiful wildlife that have previously died out or currently struggle to survive in the U.K. Many are keystone species, such as the beaver and aid in maintaining a thriving natural environment.
“The environmental movement up till now has necessarily been reactive. We have been clear about what we don’t like. But we also need to say what we would like. We need to show where hope lies. Ecological restoration is a work of hope.”
Organisations & initiatives to support or learn from
From environmental conservation and soil health, to the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights, there are so many people doing amazing things and here are a few I think are worth following, supporting and learning from.
Sarah Dorweiler - unsplash
Organisations advocating positive change in the fashion industry.
Here are some organisations that are working to improve the conditions for those who make our clothes.
Join or Host a Litter Clean Up
I believe that we need to be producing less trash, but until low waste living becomes the norm, litter is still an issue. Trash can be harmful to wildlife who mistake it for food or get tangled up in its grossness. Plastic that washes into drains is likely to end up in the ocean, harming marine life and ending up as microplastics in our water system, which we consume.
There are many small groups who go out to collect litter as well as larger organisations like Keep Britain Tidy. Getting involved in clean ups does more than clear the litter, it raises awareness as people will see a group actively picking up trash rather than imagining that it magically disappears. Have you heard about Rwanda’s “Umuganda”? They have a day each month where it is compulsory for the community to come together and clean up trash and repair infrastructure. I feel like we would all benefit from a day like this here in the U.K.
