Our Personal Role in Protecting the Planet

---

Our Personal Role in Protecting the Planet

By Lena Robin Berchielli

Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Wildfires tearing through California. Relentless severe storms and flooding. Rising sea levels creeping into coastal towns. These disasters reminded us of something we cannot ignore: our world is changing. Watching these events unfold felt like a scene from an apocalyptic sci-fi movie. Yet, these disasters were real. They may have been happening on opposite ends of the country, but they all share the same root cause: climate change.

The scale of the problem can leave us feeling powerless. How much influence can one person have in the face of a global crisis? Isn’t this an issue only governments, scientists, or major corporations can solve? These are questions I hear often, and they’re understandable. The reality is clear: no single individual can halt climate change because we need to work together. When multiplied by millions of people, small steps, taken together can transform into real progress.

This article explores how our everyday actions our small steps) can shape the future of the planet. It offers practical ways we can reduce our environmental impact, live more sustainably, and inspire others to do the same.

Why Our Carbon Footprint Matters

Your carbon footprint is the sum of the choices you make, what you eat, how you travel, how you power your home, and even what you throw away. Each decision either adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, helps prevent them, and some actions can even reduce our previous impact on the earth.

What would happen if we used up our planet? Would we simply move on to another planet or moon and repeat the same mistakes? The Global Footprint Network reports that if everyone lived like the average American, we would need five Earths to sustain our consumption. Yet we only have one. No livable planet for our children, grandchildren, or anyone we care about in the future (and in some places, right now). 

These sobering thoughts emphasize the need to change our actions. Fortunately, making personal changes right now will help avoid continuing down the same path.

Large-scale policies are already being put into action in the EU, China, India, and around the world. Check out: https://www.epa.gov/climateleadership/ghg-reduction-programs-strategies to see what the United States is doing. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that moving toward a circular economy, where waste is minimized and materials are reused, could cut global emissions by nearly 40% by 2030. Our collective decisions matter more than we often realize. Just remember, one step at a time will increase the sustainability of our world.

How Does This All Really Affect Me?

Climate change and its sustainability are complex topics. According to Julie Newman, MIT’s first Director of Sustainability, “It involves people and the environment, extraction, disposal, use, so it's really looking at the complexity of the world and how humans interact with it.” To me, sustainability is much like the economy. There are macros and micros and very few people who understand the entire topic. 

Fortunately, we don’t need to understand it all to know that what we do matters. We can focus on the micros of climate change, our lives. Can small lifestyle adjustments truly make a difference? The answer is yes, and the benefits extend beyond the planet and impact our lives directly.

• Healthier Living: Walking, biking, and eating more plant-based foods improve overall health and energy. Cleaner air and reduced pollution create healthier communities.
• Financial Savings: Energy efficiency, waste reduction, and conscious shopping often lower costs over time, from reduced utility bills to fewer disposable purchases.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing you are contributing to a healthier world for future generations builds purpose and fulfillment.
• Stronger Communities: Joining local initiatives or advocating for change strengthens relationships and builds shared responsibility.
• Future Security: Sustainable choices today protect food systems, water supplies, and the environment we depend on tomorrow.

Sustainability isn’t about sacrifice. It is about building a lifestyle that is healthier, more intentional, and more rewarding, for you and for those who come after.

Conscious Consumption: Rethinking What We Buy

Every purchase is a form of influence. Choosing sustainable products signals to businesses that these values matter. Think about how Chick Fil-A was boycotted over their donations to organizations that supported anti- LGBTQ+ views. In 2019, the company, due to pressure from its customer base, stopped funding those organizations. We have a choice of what we buy and who we buy from. Businesses will listen (eventually, or lose a lot of money).

• Opt for less packaging by buying in bulk, bringing reusable bags, and avoiding overly packaged goods. Not only do you save money, but you also save time by having less to toss away. 
• Support sustainable brands that prioritize eco-friendly practices, from fair trade coffee to organic cotton clothing. The more sustainable brands are produced with less persistent chemicals and pesticides, making them healthier choices.
• Invest in durable goods. Quality products last longer, reduce waste, and often save money in the long run. 
• Purchase locally grown food and products. It reduces the environmental impact of long-distance shipping and supports regional farmers and businesses. Local goods are often fresher, require less packaging, and help keep money within the community, creating both environmental and economic benefits.

Americans purchase over 50 billion water bottles per year, according to Earthday.org. That is a lot of plastic going into landfills, and, too often, our oceans. Remember the Pixar movie Wall-E? The Earth was so buried in garbage that people were forced to abandon it. Now that movie was an animated show for children, but sometimes I feel as if we could be headed in that direction if we don’t “clean” up our acts. Something as simple as replacing disposable water bottles with stainless-steel reusable ones can prevent hundreds of plastic bottles from reaching landfills or oceans.

Websites like Causeartist.com showcase a wide range of eco-conscious alternatives in food, fashion, and technology. Each purchase becomes an opportunity to align your habits with the planet’s needs.

Energy Efficiency: Cutting Costs While Helping the Planet

You can line your pockets with a little cash while helping the planet. Energy use is one of the easiest areas where individuals can make an impact. Many solutions are simple and cost-effective:

• Switch to LED lighting, which uses 75% less energy and lasts 25 times longer than traditional bulbs (U.S. Department of Energy).
• Look for Energy Star-certified appliances when replacing refrigerators, dishwashers, or washers.
• Unplug electronics when not in use to avoid phantom energy draw.
• Turn the air conditioning up or the heating down when you are not home.
• Switch to a tankless water heater the next time the old one needs to be replaced.

Energy-efficient lighting sounds like such a small switch, but when I replaced the bulbs in my house with LEDs, the difference was noticeable. The light was clearer and the bulbs lasted longer. Saving money while conserving resources feels like a win-win.

These small steps are not only good for the environment, they also save money. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy estimates that adopting efficiency strategies could save U.S. households a collective $500 billion in energy costs by 2030.

Food Choices: Rethinking What We Eat

What we choose to put on our plates is just as important as how we commute or power our homes. The food we eat carries a hidden impact, since food production is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water use.

Even in small choices, like buying strawberries in season at the farmer's market or preparing one plant-based meal each week, can make a difference. Those decisions may feel minor, but they add up, supporting local farmers (so they stay in business), reducing waste, and cutting back on the strain global food systems place on the planet.

Reducing Waste: The 3 R’s Still Work

“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to cut emissions.

• Reduce: Say no to single-use plastics or paper products like straws, napkins, cutlery, and bags. The single-use products aren’t as satisfying to use, and they produce excessive waste.
• Reuse: Find new life for jars, containers, and clothing. You don’t need to buy fancy storage containers or cleaning cloths. Repurposing jars and containers not only reduces waste, but it is kind of quaint. Cut up old clothes for rags, instead of paying for new ones.
• Recycle: Manufacturing products from recycled materials usually takes far less energy than producing them from raw materials.

Not an R but still critical! Food waste is another critical challenge. The EPA reports that food scraps and yard waste account for over 30% of U.S. landfill content. Composting not only diverts this waste but also creates nutrient-rich soil. I’ve had a difficult time getting on board with composting, but I want to begin. 

The World Resources Institute estimates that expanding composting could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 70 million metric tons each year, the equivalent of taking nearly 15 million cars off the road. Even small changes, such as composting at home or encouraging recycling at work, contribute to lasting impact.

Sustainable Transportation: Rethinking How We Move

Transportation is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and it is easy to see why. Cars lined up in bumper-to-bumper traffic during rush hour as engines idled and everyone inched forward. It is a scene we all know too well. But here is the thing: rethinking how we move from place to place can make a surprisingly big difference, both for the planet and for us.

• Public transportation and carpooling already prevent 45 million metric tons of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere annually (American Public Transportation Association).
• Remote work, even a few days a week, reduces commuting emissions and eases traffic.
• Walking and biking offer health benefits while producing no emissions at all.
• Electric vehicles can cut lifetime emissions by up to 80% compared to gas-powered cars, depending on the energy sources used for charging (International Council on Clean Transportation).

The way we travel is part of our daily rhythm. By rethinking those habits, we not only cut carbon emissions but often gain back something we did not expect time, energy, and even a better mood before the day has truly begun. Each trip is an opportunity. By diversifying how we move, we reduce one of the biggest contributors to climate change.

The Power of Community Action

The most rewarding sustainability efforts are often shared experiences. There’s something uplifting about rolling up your sleeves alongside neighbors, friends, or coworkers and working toward a common purpose.

• Tree-planting drives beautify neighborhoods, clean the air, and provide shade that helps cool urban areas. 
• Beach and park cleanups reduce pollution and strengthen pride of place. Living in South Florida, I see these events often hosted by schools and clubs, with organizations like 4Ocean turning cleanup into both business and lifestyle.
• Community gardens provide fresh food, lower costs, and bring neighbors together. In Palm Beach County, more than half of elementary schools now participate in school or community garden programs, some even using them as teaching tools.

These moments create more than cleaner parks, beaches, or neighborhoods. They spark conversations, laughter, and sometimes even friendly competition over who can haul the weirdest item back to the collection pile. The work itself may be simple, but the sense of connection and accomplishment lingers long after the event ends.

Personal choices absolutely matter, but when communities act together, the impact multiplies. A single person planting a tree can provide shade for a sidewalk. A hundred people planting trees can transform an entire neighborhood, lowering temperatures, improving air quality, and building pride of place. And in the process, those people often form bonds that strengthen resilience for challenges yet to come.

Sustainability, at its best, doesn’t feel like sacrifice; it feels like belonging. It’s about working together, sharing stories, and celebrating progress, even if that progress begins with nothing more glamorous than a trash bag and a pair of gardening gloves.

Education and Advocacy: Conversations that Spark Change

Do you ever feel as if you are alone in your efforts to make your impact a more sustainable one? Shared knowledge spreads quickly. The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication found that people are more likely to embrace eco-friendly practices when they believe others around them do the same. 

That’s why sharing what you know matters. Start conversations with friends, colleagues, and family. Suggest small workplace changes like adding recycling bins or cutting paper use. Share resources online that make sustainability easier to understand.

Advocacy can also extend to policy. Supporting local, state, or national initiatives that prioritize clean energy, conserve natural resources, and invest in sustainable infrastructure helps amplify the reach of individual actions.

Why It Matters: The Future We’re Building

The effects of climate change are already here, reshaping weather patterns, straining food systems, and threatening health. But every action we take now helps build a more stable future. Small steps add up, and together they create meaningful change.

• Reducing waste and composting reduces emissions.
• Public transit and electric vehicles lower air pollution.
• Energy-efficient lighting saves money and conserves resources.
• Recycling cuts the need for mining, logging, drilling, and other extraction processes that release      carbon dioxide.
• Paying attention to food waste helps reduce methane emissions.

The effects of climate change are no longer distant warnings. Summers feel hotter, storms arrive with less warning, and grocery prices remind us how fragile food systems can be when crops struggle under extreme conditions (I know, inflation, too). It can feel overwhelming at times, like trying to bail water out of a leaky boat with a coffee cup. But here’s the hopeful part: every single action we take now helps build a more stable, healthier future.

None of these actions alone will solve the climate crisis. But small steps, multiplied by millions of households, add up to powerful change.  It is like pebbles creating a path: One pebble may be overlooked, yet placed with others, it becomes a clear path forward.  Together, those everyday choices create meaningful progress toward a future that feels less uncertain and more secure.

Start Small: Take One Step Today

Protecting the planet does not mean changing everything overnight. It means starting small, staying consistent, and sharing your journey.

Here are three easy actions you can take this week:

1. Audit your carbon footprint. Free online calculators can help you identify the biggest areas of impact.

• EPA Carbon Footprint Calculator
• The Nature Conservancy Calculator
• CarbonFootprint.com

2. Pick one habit to change. Replace a lightbulb, choose a new commute option, or swap a product for a sustainable alternative.

3. Share your story. Talk to a friend, neighbor, or coworker, or share on social media, what you are doing and why.

Change spreads one person at a time, and together those choices add up to a healthier planet for future generations.

Because change begins with action, and action builds the world we leave behind.