With all of the damage being done to our planet, it is important to use our voice to prevent more harm from being done. An activist is someone who campaigns for social change. Seeing political activism is quite common in society in today’s world. However, environmental activism is not as common. Environmental activism is necessary for protecting the condition of the environment. An environmental activist refers to a person who advocates for the protection of the natural environment. Environmental activists may lobby for environmental laws, enforce pre-existing laws, or protest harmful projects. Aside from being an activist for the environment, we can reach out to charities. Today, there exists many environmental charities of which we can donate to. “The Environmental Working Group” is a non-profit group dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. “Friends of the Earth” is also a well-known group that campaigns on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues. Donating to these environmental charities is simple and easy.

In the Soul of a Citizen by Paul Rogat Loeb, it is brought out that we all can take a stand and make a change. Although we may feel at times that we do not have the power to defend our planet or protect it, Loeb says that “first we need to believe that our individual involvement is worthwhile, that what we might do in the public sphere will not be in vain” ( Loeb 5). Joining a small community effort dedicated to protecting the Earth would be monumental, even if it does seem small. As Loeb points out in his book, society teaches us to simply ignore the problems we see all around us. We tend to not believe in our own ability to make a difference, so we stay quiet. However, the easy route to living and powerlessness we feel is something that we need to overcome. Loeb mentions the problems we tend to ignore such as climate change, saying that “we find it unsettling just to contemplate crises as profound in their implications as global climate change, species extinction, or the destruction of the rainforests” (Loeb 8). It is understandable to look at these global issues and feel intimidated. Although these deep rooted problems most definitely cannot be solved instantaneously, we must not doubt that our social involvement will make a difference.

Aside from any social involvement we may take on, there are many ways we can positively affect the environment on our own. The simple saying “reduce, reuse, recycle” is an important one to remember. By throwing away less, we can conserve many natural resources and save landfill space. Using reusable grocery bags would be a great place to start since the majority of plastic bags end up in landfills, oceans and other places in the environment. Planting a single tree would also be a great way to help the Earth. Trees are essential for cleaning the air and combating climate change. Combining our errands is something simple, yet so beneficial. By reducing our drive-time, we release less of the harmful toxins that come out of our cars. Vehicles  “are America’s biggest air quality compromisers, producing about one-third of all U.S. air pollution” (National Geographic). Walking, biking or carpooling would all benefit the environment. There are many ways we can protect our planet that do not require much effort at all. The small adjustments we make in our day to day lives will be very valuable in the long run.