A great aspect of environmentalism is that there are a plethora of different ways that anyone can get involved beyond individual lifestyle choices (these efforts are covered in the Actions YOU Can Take tab). Outlined below are different ways to engage with environmental issues beyond an individual level. Listed below are several suggestions on how to interact with the broader environmental community. All of these suggestions are surefire ways to help generate positive environmental change within your local area.

1. Volunteer your time or donate to local environmental nonprofits/organizations.

While large, national environmental nonprofits such as the Sierra Club, do incredible work to solve pressing climate change and environmental issues, smaller, regional nonprofits are often overlooked. These small, local nonprofits usually have smaller budgets and less full-time staff but their work is of outsized importance due to their high focus and commitment to specific issues/communities. Local nonprofits and organizations are always looking for volunteers to help out on certain projects. Additionally, monetary donations to smaller nonprofits have a bigger impact compared to national organizations with higher budgets.

A great way to find and volunteer at local nonprofits is through a quick Google search for “environmental nonprofits in *insert region*”. From there, most organizations have websites detailing how to get involved through volunteering or donating.

Listed below are some examples of small, local nonprofits and organizations that I have had the pleasure working with in different places I have lived.

Huron River Watershed Council (Ann Arbor, MI), Nature Area Preservation, City of Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI), Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (Boca Raton, FL), Garvies Point Preserve (Glen Cove, NY), and Southeast Environmental Task Force (Chicago, IL)

2. Engage in the political process.

Climate change and environmentalism are two hot-button issues for the majority of politicians. Supporting Local, State and Federal Government candidates who have a strong track record of backing pro-environmental legislation is an important way to let your voice be heard on environmentalism. Whether your support is simply casting a ballot for pro-environmental candidates, volunteering on campaigns, or attending community town halls, helping environmentally-conscious candidates obtain office is a crucial way to help enact positive environmental change on a larger scale.

Supporting the correct candidate requires some basic research. The majority of elected politicians and candidates have websites which detail their stance on a variety of issues including climate change and environmentalism. A quick peruse over a candidate or incumbent’s website will reveal their opinion on environmental issues. Usually, if “climate change” and “the environment” are hard to find on a website, they probably do not prioritize saving the planet!

3. Participate in environmental activism

Environmental activism is a very general term, but it can have a wide variety of interpretations that benefit local and nationwide environmental issues. In my interpretation, environmental activism is constantly standing up against environmental injustice. This can take many forms, such as signing petitions to stop environmental degradation, participating in protests and marching in climate rallies, or simply helping others better support environmental causes. The beauty of environmental activism is that it can take many shapes and forms, but it always consists of advocating for better environmental conditions beyond a personal level.

Conclusion

There are many ways to get involved in the environmental community and whether you chose to volunteer at nonprofits, engage with the political process or participate in a form of environmental activism, the actions you take can have a positive impact that goes well beyond your individual contribution.