The Ripple Effect – Your actions do make a difference

After watching the Seaspiracy documentary recently, and reading the doom and gloom stories in the environmental news these days, I have to admit I was feeling pretty despondent about the upcoming Earth Day.  I was in two minds whether we should post something on our social media pages for fear of seeming hypocritical or to be virtue signalling.  I mean, it’s great to have good intentions but when it comes to protecting the planet, an it’s the thought that counts mentality just isn’t enough.

I’m sure that most of us have good intentions – we would all love to travel in carbon neutral vehicles, and eat only organic produce from fair-trade farmers, purchased from plastic-free stores.  But then reality takes over and we realise that the nearest packaging-free store is half an hour’s drive in our gas-guzzling car (because there’s no planet-friendly alternative). So we compromise by walking to our nearest plastic-covered Walmart, and feel guilty about it.

It’s easy to feel that that our small actions don’t make a difference and to ask ourselves “what’s the point” of trying to help the planet (usually at some inconvenience to ourselves) when thousands others don’t seem to care.  It can seem like an insignificant drop of water in a vast ocean (full of microplastics).

But then I was reminded of something that Angel and I did with our IDC candidates on Earth Day back in 2013.  We asked them to make a pledge to do something that would be helpful to the planet, above or below the water.  I pledged to say “No” to plastic bags when I went shopping.  And eight years ago that was actually quite a difficult thing to do here in Playa del Carmen.  

At my local supermarket, to bring your own shopping bags was something of a novelty and often even discouraged as the security guards thought you were bringing them to shoplift with.  Also, because the supermarket bags were free and made from awful, flimsy plastic, the baggers would pack just a few of your items into double-bags to avoid them splitting on the way home. 

Despite this, I persevered with my pledge and got used to the weird looks I received at first when I insisted on bringing my reusable bags.  I was probably one of around 5% of shoppers there who did this.

Then two or three years ago I noticed “Eco-cashiers” at the same supermarket.  These checkouts didn’t provide the plastic bags, so I was able to enjoy the non-existent lines and my feeling of self-righteousness at the same time.  The following year they stopped providing single-use plastic bags at all and even gave away reusable produce bags for shoppers’ fruit and veg.  Now everyone who visits that supermarket is following my pledge!

OK, so it might not be as significant as the Paris Agreement but I do think that it highlights some important things.

Firstly, that changes don’t happen overnight.  And sometimes a gradual shift is a good thing.  When the changes we make come with some inconvenience we need time to adapt and accept these small sacrifices.  Unfortunately, we don’t have too much time left if we want to slow down climate change, rewild our landscapes and replenish fragile fish stocks and wildlife.

Secondly, that it’s easier to make a difference when we have help and support.  Supermarkets don’t ban single-use plastics because they have a conscience.  They do it because they see that there is a growing number of people who want it, and its good marketing.  Or they are obliged to do it because politicians have implemented such a ban.  Why do politicians implement a ban?  Because they have a vested interest in remaining on the good side of their public so that the public continue to vote for them.  So if you live in a democratic country you can choose to vote for the politicians who support making changes for the health of the planet.

The other things that my little story shows is that your actions – however small and insignificant they may seem on an individual basis – do make a difference when multiplied.  Simply by taking a step, letting others see it, and spreading awareness, it can encourage others to take action too. 

So whenever you are feeling like a drop in the ocean, remember the ripple effect and don’t give up.  Together we can make waves.

To find out more about how, together, we have the power to Restore Our Earth visit https://www.earthday.org/take-action-now/