Earth Day Tips 2021

From Privilege to Action in a Pandemic

Photo Credit: Markus Spiskeon on Unsplash

Many of us have privilege but don’t always know the best things to do with it. Check out this Earth Day series for things you can do (both socially and environmentally because they are forever linked) with some of the privilege you might have. “Guilt does not redeem privilege” but action can help build an equitable world. 

Take a moment to think of your privilege from race, to gender, to income, to physical or mental ability, to education, to having a home, etc etc. You are the type of person who can help, you do have the skill or privilege necessary to do something, but what?

Comment with your own ideas on addressing privilege in honor of Earth Day. #EarthDay #EarthDay2021 #sustainability #privilege

(None of this content is sponsored & @ handles are for Instagram)

Photo Credit: Annie Spratt on Unsplash

PAY IT FORWARD

Money talk: Is your bank contributing to fossil fuel production and oppression? Do you know? Would you prefer to imagine your portfolio is clean and green? I can almost guarantee that if you haven’t checked, it isn’t.

  1. You can easily join a fossil-free bank (@Aspiration), start with some small fossil-free investments (The Redwood Fund 401K or @stash_app Clean and Green Fund).
  2. Why not support local non-profits as their funding may be diverted during the Pandemic For example: Santa Cruz: @yogaforallmovement Savannah: @BikewalkSavannah or @officialhltysav SF: @sfbike CA: @theclimatecenter
  3. How about that product switch you’ve been putting off? @whogivesacraptp @dentallace @thrivemarket @imperfectfoods

Comment with your own ideas on addressing privilege in honor of Earth Day. #EarthDay #EarthDay2021 #sustainability #privilege

(This content should not be taken as professional financial advice)

Photo Credit: Jake Givens on Unsplash

ENERGIZE

Energy and transportation are the two biggest contributors to Climate Change in the US, and changing that starts at home.

  1. Switch to renewable energy credits for your home or apartment. From San Francisco to Santa Cruz to Savannah, GA solar credit options are popping up across the country, (and you don’t have to leave your quarantined couch). 
  2. Get carbon offsets (for pre and post-pandemic flight and drives). The Good Traveler is one of many well-researched and easy to use offset programs, and @Aspiration will now offset all the gas you buy with their Planet Protection subscription. (Both are cheap!)
  3. Can your next car be hybrid? An electric? Could you ditch your car? #rideshare #carpool #publictransit

Comment with your own ideas on addressing privilege in honor of Earth Day. #EarthDay #EarthDay2021 #sustainability #privilege

Photo Credit: Voices of Monterey Bay

LOCALIZE

  1. Buy from local grocery stores, local farmers, coffee roasters, etc (many have pick up options). Local dollars go further and build community resilience. Santa Cruz: @staffoflife SF: rainbow_grocery Savannah: @brighterdaynaturalfoods
  2. Make do without, learn to repair your stuff/your clothes.
  3. Learn to finally cook some flavorful vegetarian meals. #spices
  4. Grow your own food garden or native plant garden and/or compost.

Comment with your own ideas on addressing privilege in honor of Earth Day. #EarthDay #EarthDay2021 #sustainability #privilege #resilience #local #buylocal

Photo Credit: Parker Johnson on Unsplash

VOICE

  1. Sign petitions & contact representatives. 
  2. Follow, listen to, and Amplify people of color, LGBTQIA Instagramers, & other marginalized groups. @antiracismdaily @ckyourprivilege @indigenousrising @trevorproject @intersectionalenvironmentalist (to name just a few)
  3. Speak out against voter suppression and discriminatory laws in your state. @alcu_nationwide @fairfightaction
  4. Train your voice by Googling what “Environmental Racism” is and by looking at this scientifically based list of solutions for more ideas: https://www.drawdown.org/solutions so you can better help your community build an equitable, sustainable world.

Comment with your own ideas on addressing privilege in honor of Earth Day. #EarthDay #EarthDay2021 #sustainability #privilege #environmentalracism #projectdrawdown #vote #voice

Photo Credit: Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

WEAR PPE & GET THE VAX

This is vital. It is a huge privilege to access PPE & vaccines, but they can help us all. It’s a bit inconvenient, and we also should go to therapy (literally) for life’s disappointments and traumas, especially as they relate to the pandemic. For those pesky COVID variants & for those not yet vaccinated, this is how we can help.

Comment with your own ideas on addressing privilege in honor of Earth Day. #EarthDay #EarthDay2021 #sustainability #privilege #covid19 #pandemic #stayhome

Photo Credit: Walmart.com (I was surprised too)

CREATE BETTER NORMS

Let’s not “get back to normal” but think deeply about what we want a new normal to be. Healthcare reform? Worker’s rights? Universal Income? What do these topics actually mean? Do we know where we stand? Are we listening to trustworthy sources? Are we open to being wrong and questioning our assumptions especially as they relate to our own privilege? 

Comment with your own ideas on addressing privilege in honor of Earth Day. #EarthDay #EarthDay2021 #sustainability #privilege

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