“Obviously I’m
getting the free-range kale smoothie,
I'm an environmentalist!”
Ever wonder why people make fun of environmentalists?
Well, for one thing,
we aren't always effective at tackling threats to public health
and our shared future on this planet.
We sometimes spend a lot of energy and words
on things that only accomplish
a little at a time -- if anything.
Kind of like eating that kale smoothie with
a fork.
Plant a tree!
Buy organic socks!
Never shower!
Make friends with a bear!
Wait, what?
Those are well-intentioned attempts to address
really important problems.
But with a political administration that dismantles
climate action,
"We will eliminate a clean power plan."
prioritizes oil over drinking water,
"This is with respect to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline."
and doesn’t give a damn about vulnerable communities,
"Chaos, confusion and anger
growing in the wake of president Trump's immigration ban,"
we’re going to need something more effective than a fork.
Hi, it’s me, Umbra, Grist’s favorite advice
columnist.
For years, my predecessors told you how to
buy the least harmful laundry detergent
and conserve water by peeing in the shower.
Individual action still matters.
Buy those organic socks!
Pee in that shower!
But there’s got to be more of an emphasis
on systemic change.
So, what if we used tools like civic action,
political literacy, and community-building
to attack the larger forces at work.
Things like the political support for the fossil fuel industry,
the economic forces behind deforestation,
and the lack of bear-human friendship
in the world.
As anyone who’s ever put together a food
processor knows,
everything is easier to tackle if you break it down into parts.
No, Daniel, I pick my smoothies fresh
from the forest.
And every little civic action is actually
a much bigger deal than it seems --
because you can bring more people on board as you do it.
Things like:
Getting to know your public representatives!
Support your local news sources!
Getting your friends to eat less meat,
without ever talking about eating less meat!
In doing these things, you'll cure your political
exhaustion,
detox all that apathy,
become more involved in your community, and
-- in the end! -- create a better future.
Wow, that was so easy!
Congratulations -- you just got civically
engaged!
Wanna learn more?
Check out my full apathy detox guide at Grist
dot org.
