#1
Why Write about the Environment?
By Isabella Brunt
Like many, my attitude towards the climate crisis swings between two extremes.
One minute, I’m fuming at the blasé attitude so many hold…
Why does no one care? Or if they do care, why is no one changing?
The next minute I’m wallowing in despair…
Surely, we aren’t really expected as individuals to make a difference?! We need action WITH (not against) corporations and governments to stop this catastrophe!
But the truth of the matter is that neither extreme will work without the other.
As individuals, we are led to believe that it’s our fault that we got here, and in a way, it is. But we can’t let this idea push us into misery about ourselves, and the state of our planet.
No amount of recycling will change our course, governments and corporations must also act and change. This being said, we do have a duty, especially in this country, to change our habits for the sake of the planet. The article ‘Reflections on the privilege to take a stand against climate change’ (linked below) highlights just how lucky we are to have the right to protest! We owe those in countries around the world who don’t have the freedoms we have here to make noise and change.
The most effective things you can do is recognise your limits and abilities, where can you afford to make a change? Maybe you could organise buying a few items from wholesale to save on packaging (and money)? Or you could swap to a bamboo toothbrush? Perhaps you could commit to not buying clothes from high street brands for a month? Or a year? Or buy only second-hand clothes for a year? Clothing is a reusable commodity.
This column isn’t designed to make you feel guilty, it’s here to encourage you that whatever you can do to contribute, it’s worth it. Environmentalism has to be inclusive, accessible and de-stigmatised.