What can I do about climate change? That’s a very common question, and it’s an important one. Climate change is a global phenomenon that is unfolding over decades. It can be hard to find a useful role for individuals when the problems are so clearly systemic. Some climate campaigns directed at individuals feel shallow at best and at worst like self-serving misdirection from corporations or governments. So here’s something more positive: the SHIFT.
Working with Drawdown, SHIFT is a project from climate scientist Dr Kimberley Nicholas, based on her research into the influence that citizens of high income countries have on the climate. She identifies five roles where people could take meaningful action: as citizens, professionals, investors, consumers, and role models.
Of those, the most powerful thing most of us can do is elect leaders who will enact climate policies. That’s relevant at the local, regional and national level, wherever you have a vote to cast. The SHIFT campaign points out that your vote will make a bigger difference than anything else you do, and as a campaign based in the United States, they don’t need to name any names. Active citizenship isn’t limited to elections of course, and they recommend getting involved in political parties, organisations and campaigns.
As professionals, those in employment can work with their colleagues to reduce emissions in their workplace. You may have a sustainability team at work already, and there are organisations that specialise in employee action. There might be a role for a divestment campaign in your workplace, or for wider action in professional networks and associations.
The ‘investor’ role might sound like it’s mainly for those with a lot of money, but it starts with your choice of bank. Choose one that doesn’t invest in fossil fuels. Most do, and are therefore directly profitting from making climate change worse. You’ve also got any personal savings and investments, and a pension provider to consider.
Our role as a consumer already gets more attention than the other roles here, and it’s where we’re most likely to get distracted into trivial actions. SHIFT skips all the little tips and tricks and focuses on the big stuff: flying, driving, food choices and home energy.
Finally, there’s an opportunity to be a role model in our climate action. That could be through community organisations, or just among friends and family. We can be more proactive about sharing what we’re doing and what we’ve learned. We can talk about it more, and support others as they think about what they can do.
If you drop in on the SHIFT website, they have a process that you can click through to look at opportunities across all of these categories. If you’re a seasoned climate person you might have done a lot of things already, but I found a few surprises. You’ll find links to relevant organisations and further guides, so the whole thing is really practical.
A couple of caveats: it’s an American campaign and some of the links won’t be quite as relevant for everyone, though it does a pretty good job of remembering international users. And the cynical might find the general chirpiness and talk of ‘climate superpowers’ a little grating. Bear with it, and I suspect you’ll find some useful ideas, and hopefully an avenue for climate action that you haven’t explored yet.
The Earthbound Report 
Thank You!!!