Written by National Youth Council Member Diya
With the onset of COVID-19 and most states imposing stay at home orders on their residents, it can sometimes be hard to find activities to occupy your time. It may feel like it is impossible to make a positive impact on the world around you while cooped up inside but this is not the case. There are many campaigns and actions that you can take that will not only give you something to do while in quarantine, but will also affect the environment in a great way.
First is the idea of digital activism. Smartphones and the internet have changed the way movements and political events are organized. Digital activism is a form of activism that uses the Internet and digital media as platforms for engaging with a variety of people. There are several things that can be done from the comfort of your home. Letter-writing campaigns and email campaigns can be an effective tool to reach your local or state leaders. Organizations that do not practice sustainable actions can also be written to.
In addition, there are so many things that can be done on a more individualized basis that can make all of the difference. For example, the World Wildlife Fund has started the Earth Hour where every year on the last Saturday of March, they ask people to switch off their lights in support of the planet. However, this does not have to be confined to one day- switch off your lights every Friday or everyday to make a difference. You can also take this time to practice eating a more sustainable diet; try to focus on eating more vegetables and load up your plate with more vegetables than meat for a week. Use this time to start growing some herbs, fruit, vegetables, or a tree. Try composting or using reusable bottles/straws instead of plastic. This does not have to be a time of sadness and boredom; we can use this time to be more productive, research about the environment and what we need to do to save it, and better ourselves!
