Why doing what you can for the environment is enough

Whilst the term ‘doing what we can’ is ambiguous, it is the argument that people do not know what they ‘can’ do to make a difference that is contributing toward a negative impact on our planet. Educating people on what they can do is the way forward. 

As Ocean Generation have said before, ‘you cannot do all the good the Ocean needs. But the Ocean needs all the good you ‘can’ do. This short piece will delve into the responsibilities of us as individuals to make a difference in order to support the beauty of the Oceans ecosystem for it to thrive for years to come. 

Turning eco-anxiety into action

One major challenge facing younger generations today is the overwhelming sense of responsibility they feel for the climate crisis. Unfortunately, the climate change crisis has been developing for decades, and simply being aware of it cannot undo the damage that has already occurred.  

A 2021 study found that 60% of 16–25-year-olds surveyed experienced climate anxiety and feared for the future of the planet due to climate change. It is evident that people want to make a positive change to help reduce the climate crisis, but the question is whether people know what they can do to benefit the environment. 

I have always felt a deep connection to the Ocean and its breathtakingly diverse wildlife  

I have been fortunate to dive and work along the edge of the Great Barrier Reef while also exploring reefs in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and even the UK. The sheer abundance and variety of marine life in these regions is truly astonishing, seeing these places on a daily basis filled me with immense joy and passion for this underwater ecosystem that sustains our planet.  

The more time I spent in these beautiful environments, the stronger my desire became to give something back. However, I soon hit a wall— I found it incredibly difficult to make a meaningful impact when I was totally overwhelmed with information on what I can do as an individual to reduce my negative impact on the Ocean environment.

This led me to explore the route of focusing on what I can control to reduce my impact rather than focusing on the more complex matters that require more than just my individual effort.  

Now this is not to say that larger matters that require multiple people as well as charities and support from NGO’s is not important. But the focus of this piece is to promote small changes that individuals can adopt which will ultimately lead to a small ripple of change turning into a big wave.  

The power of individual action: What we can do to make a difference 

From this perspective I came to focus on 3 core ideas: 

1.Reduce plastic usage:
Many people have a negative association with the use of plastics. Millennials and Generation Z in particular, possess a greater awareness of the adverse environmental impacts associated with the use of single-use plastics. Educating people further on the impact that single use plastic usage can have is an easy method of encouraging change in individuals in order to reduce waste in our Ocean. 

Reducing expenditure on single use plastics and instead reusing shopping bags, purchasing reusable water bottles and unpackaged goods will decrease the amount of rubbish going in landfill and subsequently our Ocean.  

We hear too many stories of our aquatic wildlife mistaking a piece of plastic as food or a home or food. By purchasing less of these plastics this will reduce the risks faced by the animals in our Ocean.

2.Take part in waste collection:
Secondly, we have a responsibility to care for our environment. By collecting litter on our beaches, we can significantly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our Ocean. Simply bringing a bag on your walk to collect litter can make a meaningful difference.

Regular beach clean-ups happen worldwide, checking social media or local websites will help you to find how you can get involved. It’s also believed that people who take part experience more hedonic values increasing positive emotion and thus decreasing climate anxiety.

3.Reduce unnecessary electricity usage:
Reducing our electricity usage is a crucial step in lowering our individual carbon footprint. A study conducted in 2011 focused on improving energy efficiency by adopting smart power management by turning off TV screens and lighting whilst not in use. While it may seem small, these efforts are essential in driving significant change.  

Incorporating these small changes into our daily lives can have a profound global impact. 

Just like a ripple that grows into a wave, individual actions can inspire widespread change. I want people to understand that every effort is incredibly important in sustaining our planet. 

Simply focusing on what we ‘can’ do will make a huge difference. When you act, you not only contribute to a healthier world but also inspire others to do the same.

For more reading on how to reduce and reuse plastic read this article from Ocean Generation.  

Thank you for raising your voice for the Ocean, Rossy!

Connect with Rossy on Instagram. Learn about how to submit your own Wavemaker Story here.

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Rossy Sheppy

Rossy has a strong passion for the Ocean. She travelled Australia working along the Great Barrier Reef on a boat and a part of her job was to promote education to young people about the Ocean and its importance as well as the diverse animals in the reef ecosystem. Seeing humpback whales breaching bought tears to her eyes. She hopes to help educate people on reducing their impact on our Ocean ecosystem so generations can live to experience the wonders she has.