People’s thoughts are influenced by others in their social groups. The more we hear other people say they are concerned about our environment, the more we are likely to also become concerned.

Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe says the most important thing we can do is talk about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BvcToPZCLI&t=11s

According to Yale, at least 58% of Americans are alarmed or concerned about the climate, but most of us think the number is much less because many of us don’t talk about it. Another 17% are on the fence, ready to become concerned if they hear more of their social network talking about it.

https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/about/projects/global-warmings-six-americas/

Ideas:

Take a bag when you go for a walk. (If you’re walking your dog you should already have bags.)

Arrange with your friends to walk/clean the neighborhood once per month.

Help your children with a “citizen science project” by tracking how many of each type of litter they collect. Community newspapers love this kind of story.

The Environmental Voter Project estimates that 8 million environmentalists did not vote in the 2020 presidential election and 12 million missed the 2018 midterm elections. If more environmentalists vote, then politicians will take notice.

https://www.environmentalvoter.org/about

Politicians listen to their constituents. Search online for their contact information or comment on their social media.

If you can, go to a town hall or open house and talk to the politicians.

Tell them you want environmentally friendly products with minimal packaging. If you can, point to contributors who are doing better.