Why You Matter

Written by: Micaela Sauve


With the state of our world in a continuous decline, I’m sure you’re wondering, and rightfully so, how you, a party of one, could possibly make a meaningful difference in this enormous problem.

With ​​corporations being largely culpable for the damage done to our environment, it’s easy to feel like there’s nothing you can do. 

People are correct in thinking corporations need to change, but these corporations are almost entirely motivated by profit and will not change without consumer demand or government intervention (and we don’t see the latter happening fast enough). If we only buy sustainable products, we are essentially “voting with our wallets” as this incentivizes companies to adopt more environmentally sustainable practices to meet the demand.

Let me ask you a question, and I want you to answer honestly: do you really think you, alone, can make a difference in the world?

For most people, the answer is no.

Any person. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you are, or what stage of life you’re in. Everyone has an impact and can make a difference. Not only can you make a difference, you've probably had a far greater impact on way more people than you realize.

I mean, look at all that CO2 just one tree sequesters over its lifetime.

It's not rare for a single individual to have a significant impact, it happens all the time. Think about it. When one person influences a few others, there’s a continuing and spreading result, a.k.a. a ripple effect (or also commonly known as a domino effect) that, over time, can actually impact thousands.

Not convinced?

Around 5 years ago I (Yes me, Micaela) made my very first sustainable swap. It was a simple one, swapping out plastic wrap for beeswax wraps but it was all I could do at that time, and even it was enough to make an impact on those around me. I mentioned them unwittingly in conversations, when I had people at my apartment they would ask what they were and why I used them. I raved about how good it made me feel to use them, how easy they were to use and how I was no longer wasting money on plastic wrap.

All this talking led to the environment and sustainable living becoming the forefront in not only my mind but my friends and family too. Then I began to hear about the sustainability-related conversations they were having with their friends and family and the products they were ditching (or swapping) in order to live more sustainably. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how far that ripple continued but if I think of how quickly a rumor spreads, I am sure it went far.

If my small handful of people and your small handful of people and their handful of people take steps to live sustainably, we will soon have a world of people saving our planet.

As Edward Everett Hale said, 

We encourage you Net Zero Fam to take part and continue that ripple effect. Watch closely for the impact your actions make on those around you. It could be a sustainable swap or a random act of climate kindness or bringing sustainability to the forefront of people's minds through simple conversation.

The Power is in Your Hands. Be the Change You Want to See.