As far as excuses go, we humans can be a fairly talented bunch. Whether justifying that junk food binge or not going to the gym, we’ve turned excuse-making into an art form.

Of all of the things we make excuses for, caring for the environment is right up there. Environmental concerns and ‘living green’ might feel like big issues to tackle, but in the long term, a simple decision to make changes where they count becomes so much easier than dishing up excuses for not doing anything at all.

Here’s a rundown on the biggest excuses we make for not looking after our planet, and a few tips on how to fix them.

Excuse #1: “I’m just one of many – my actions are too small to count”

You matter. We all matter. Never forget it. Sure, in the throes of a booming global population and the ever-present feeling that the world is spinning off its axis, it’s easy to feel like you’re just another face in the crowd (and by virtue of that, that our individual actions don’t mean anything).

On the contrary, we all have the power to influence, to decide, to determine our course and choose. All it takes is the influence of one of us to change the entire flow of events. Your actions have the potential to influence others and directly alter things for the better – when enough of us decide to do the same, huge things can be achieved.

The Fix: Take responsibility. Choose not to hurl your litter down the Pacific Highway, or discard your old bottles and cans in Sydney’s parks and waterways. Did you know the city’s street cleaners collect 15,000 cigarette butts daily? That’s millions every year, a huge contribution to local environmental, social and economic problems. Something as simple as responsibly disposing of your rubbish is an action that keeps giving – it’s far from small or insignificant.

Excuse #2: “It’s the decisions at the ‘top’ that make a difference”

Tackling issues as massive as climate change demands leadership from the top, but that doesn’t absolve us of our individual responsibilities either. The actions of those ‘at the top’ (government, transnational corporations, etc.) are important but our role at the grassroots level is just as essential — the momentum of the masses can be the defining factor of change.

The Fix: Don’t wait for others to swoop in and fix our environmental problems. Decide, simply, that your actions are just as important and commit to a few lasting alterations to your day-to-day: for example, choose renewable power options for your home, be energy efficient (ditch the dryer; change light bulbs to compact fluorescents and LEDs, etc.), and eat more plant-based meals and less meat, as a starter.

Excuse #3: “Everybody else is doing it, so why can’t I?”

It’s worth asking yourself: are you are a leader in life, or a lemming? While it might seem like everyone else in this busy modern world is doing little to protect the environment, that’s simply not the case – more of us are waking up from our collective slumber on climate change and charting new courses of action that are having ripple effects from the local level outwards.

The Fix: Choose to do things differently. The fact is, you’ll be in good company: not everyone thinks using disposable coffee cups is easier than having a KeepCup; not everyone dumps their recyclable and compostable waste in with their generic refuse, thus clogging up NSW’s landfills. People are making the right changes, and you can too.

Excuse #4: “It’s all too overwhelming – I don’t know what to do about it”

With the unprecedented stresses of 2018, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by life in general. Add an all-encompassing environmental crisis on top of bills, rent, work, technology lethargy and the rest, and it can all verge on a bit much. Don’t let these perceptions discourage you – there are actually heaps of things you can do to tackle climate change on a local, daily level that will actually make you feel heaps better (and less crazy) about life.

The Fix: Start slow. Some of the most effective manoeuvres really the most simple and practical: manage your waste sensibly, don’t pollute by littering, and remember that the environmental issue is a work in progress.

Excuse #5 “Why bother? Everything’s going to hell anyway”

It’s a pretty negative headspace, but from time to time most of us have probably been guilty of dwelling on this one. “The world’s a chaotic mess – send the comet already!” can be a common reaction to the feeling that the ground is falling from our feet.

The truth is, the earth remains an incredible planet – it supports us, and will continue to do so the more we choose to support it. We’re living through an unprecedented global moment right now that none of our forebears ever had to negotiate, so keep that in mind – charting such a new and different course is complicated, confusing, and often exhausting. But we’re making headway; and that comet is not coming anytime soon.

The Fix: Turn that frown upside down and ditch the disaster bravado. Stay positive, keep the peace, and implement a few practical behavioural shifts. Generate less garbage, buy less material things that you don’t really need, fly less, drive less, take public transport where you can, and become environmentally aware and active. 

 

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Let’s face it: there’s no excuse for littering. Don’t be a tosser – and go to Report to EPA to report littering from vehicles.