The five ways one can change the world
Conversations about the woes - the many woes - of the world often end with a throwing up of the hands, a sigh, and a “it’s just all too difficult”, or perhaps a “nothing’s going to change.”
To that I’ve always had a one-word counter argument. Feminism.
We’re by no means living in a post-sexist world, but one cannot deny that if you look back at history, amazing, great strides have been made in regards to women’s rights. In another era, as a woman, I couldn’t own property, I couldn’t vote, I might not have even been able to choose who I wanted to marry.
Women’s rights happened slowly. It was not one singular cause, movement or leader that did it - it was many small battles fought and won over many, many years. It was a multitude of things, seen and unseen. And it required faith that the fight was worth fighting, and that in the end justice would prevail. Even if that justice was unseen - even unseen in one’s own lifetime.
And that is what is required of anyone working for or making difficult choices in the name of a better world. An ability to be satisfied with small wins, and a large degree of faith that the bigger war is heading the right direction.
As Emily and I brainstorm about what to do with Lane Change, I wanted to sit down and really analyze what an individual can do, to bring about positive change. Here’s what I have. Please send in anything you feel I might have left off:
1. In work
Every single person has an opportunity to change the world through the paid work they do. Of course some people will have more opportunities than others. For example, politicians have the power to bring in laws that will radically change the way society operates. The CEOs of major multinationals can transform industries, industry practices, and wipe out or preserve acres of forests, oceans, rivers and mountains with one flick of their hand.
The work and ideas of economists, engineers, scientists, researchers, lawyers, teachers, artists, designers and journalists too have a disproportionately large influence on society. And that influence is a responsibility to civil society and the green earth.
But really, all business owners have the power to change - through the support of certain industry initiatives, or by trying to include (or even better, make central) certain practices and ideas.
And as an employee you can pick who you choose to work for - does the work your company do, and the way in which they do it, align with your values? Remember, working for someone is a form of support!
No matter what your industry, you have a chance to be creative. Creativity is just about new ideas, or new ways of doing things. Don’t accept the status quo. Make an impact by doing something better, and differently.
2. Support, join or start an NGO
There are a million non-profit organizations, charities, lobby and activist groups, unions, co-ops and movements who want you involved. What do they want?
- Your time. Volunteer or participate in actions!
- Your money. Donate!
- Your influence. Can your company align/partner/sponsor?
- Your public support. Spread the word!
3. Vote
Despite the gargantuan power that the corporate sector has in our society, the democratic political system is still one of the best (and few) ways that citizens can have their say. Politics is only weak when we choose not to participate in it - one of those chicken-and-the-egg dilemmas. Luckily it also means the more we exercise our political voice, the stronger our political power becomes.
So:
- Write or e-mail your local representative.
- Join a party, and volunteer your time.
- Vote. On behalf of society, for a better future, and for the earth.
4. Make individual changes
Much like your vote in the political system, your purchases act like a “vote” in the corporate sector. By taking into account certain dimensions - not just aesthetics, or good design - but also green design, energy efficiency, consideration of working conditions etc. - you are sending to the corporate world a message of support in regards to certain design, editorial and production choices.
Likewise, choosing to bike instead of ride a car, or consuming less, or altering other aspects of your life, not only contributes to a system of supply and demand, you’re also sending a message to those around you about what kind of life we should be living.
That said, I’m hesitant to emphasize this point because too much emphasis is placed on this already. Individual choices, though important, are not enough alone. They are only effective when working in conjunction with the other points. In fact, I often find them more useful as a form of “daily inspiration”.
5. Express yourself
Don’t be afraid to speak up and tell people what you believe in (that said, gentle persuasion usually beats obstinate hectoring.) You never know what effect it will have. Write, make art, make music, make films and videos. Tweet it, Facebook it. Share the work of other people who you feel have said it better than you could have.
My dawning vegetarianism as a metaphor for social change
I can’t really claim to be a vegetarian but I guess you could call me a “social meat-eater”. In the same way that some people are “social drinkers” or “social smokers” I only eat meat when I’m out eating with (meat-eating) friends. And usually only if we’re eating Chinese style or pizza - something we’re sharing.
Vegetarianism is something that dawned on me slowly - like losing contact with a friend, but realizing that maybe it’s for the best. There was a major contributing factor to this new found eating habit. I became friends with a vegetarian couple, even living with them for one month while I was homeless. The guy of the couple was extremely hectoring about vegetarianism. He’d rattle off statistics and facts about the health benefits of vegetarianism, or more often, lecture me on the health dangers of eating meats.
He’d frequently say things like, “One day we’re going to think of meat the same way we think of cigarettes. There’s going to be sold in the 18+ section with warning labels all over them.”
At the time I though little of it, and would humor him by nodding with eyes glazed over. Little did I know his words were squirreling their way into my mind. His nagging motherly ways finally got to me.
Other small factors: many of my workmates and other friends are vegetarian and in eating with them I was introduced to a lot of yummy vegetarian dishes. I’m cooking for myself a lot these days, and can’t be bothered to use meat - plus it’s more expensive. Working at Greenpeace has heightened my awareness of all things environmental, which includes the impacts of our animal devouring habits.
After an initial withdraw period (of perhaps a month or less) where I would find my body craved meat, I now find that I never even feel like eating it. Meat seems, to me, to be so heavy and bloody or fleshy in flavor that I’d only ever want to eat it on occasion. And would probably be fine if I never ate it at all.
In activism, it’s not uncommon to face the question, “but don’t you think this is all a waste of time? People won’t listen. Or they’ll listen, but they won’t actually change.” I like to remind people of several things:
1. You don’t know what impact your words or actions might have. Just as I, at the time, seemed pretty unresponsive to my vegetarian friend’s lecturing, with much persistence he eventually wore me down.
2. You are one drop, of a large tidal wave. My friend alone probably wouldn’t have converted me into vegetarianism, but the together the multitudes of influences did.
Another point often made at leftie events or protests, “well aren’t you just preaching to the converted?” To this I also say: If today’s protest/ film/ blog post/ music event caused one casual attendant to become semi-hardcore to the cause, or one semi-hardcore person become hardcore, or prevent one hardcore person from slipping backwards into semi-hardcore, then I’m happy.
Change is something that happens over a long period. Want proof of that? Black people in the US vote. A woman is prime minister of Australia. All you can do is your bit, and hope that in the long run there’s enough wins on battlefields to take out the war.
