Do One Thing

This has been building for a while, but this week’s call to action from 15,000 world scientists pushed me up the final step that led to this article.

We love writing about market shifts, new technology, remaining barriers to cleantech, etc., but when it comes down to it, the problem is that society continues to act too slowly. An uninhabitable planet is a genuine threat we ourselves are generating.

It can be daunting, debilitating, and downright depressing. However, I think it’s critical to remember that all societal shifts — at their core — rely on mass-scale individual action. Of course, one person doesn’t do it alone. However, society doesn’t do anything big without a groundswell of individual action.

Furthermore, as I’ve highlighted over and over again, social movements and major societal shifts are surprisingly simple. When one person tells you something or does something different, you become aware of it. When a couple of people say or do that one thing, you might really start to think about it. Once a handful of people do it, you start to wonder if you’re behind the curve and then probably try to catch up. Simple messages, repeated, repeated, repeated, create change (for better or worse).

That’s a large reason why disruptive tech follows an exponential adoption curve — because that’s how word of mouth spreads. That’s how people that “nobody” thinks can get elected actually do get elected to high political positions. (Let’s not think of examples.)

If you read CleanTechnica, you are almost certainly enlightened. Congratulations! However, we’re also all addicted to certain habits, blocked by certain challenges and barriers, and not living the “fullest life possible.”

My point in this article: step outside of your own comfort zone and do one more thing today to advance the zero-emissions transition. Some possibilities:

1. Make your home more energy efficient via LEDs, more insulation, a better sealed duct system,

2. Look into rooftop solar. Order an installation if it fits your budget and needs.

3. If rooftop solar isn’t an option, look into community solar or switch your electricity bill to Arcadia Power or similar companies.

4. Jump beyond the fear and get an electric car, electric scooter, electric motorcycle, electric bike, or normal bike.

5. Eat more vegetables, more beans, and less meat.

6. Start working on a political campaign that could make a difference.

7. Invest in cleantech startups that you think will have a solid, highly positive effect on the world.

8. Create your own cleantech startup.

9. Share useful and interesting information! Come on, this one is so easy. 😀

10. Donate cash and/or time to nonprofits that you think are making a profound impact.

11. Work with your local government or state government to create better EV, solar, and efficiency policies.

Do one thing. Today. Now.

(But yeah, finish reading a few CleanTechnica articles first. 😉 )