Our Climate Action Does Not Need To Be Perfect

Perfection isn’t the goal with individual climate action; progress is. Embracing imperfect efforts can still drive meaningful change and make a difference.

It’s hard to miss the urgent calls for climate action. Multiple headlines, emerging research, and information come out each day, all pointing to the profound impact human activity has on the environment. The signs of biological imbalance are plain to see in the rising temperatures, extreme weather events, melting ice caps, and declining biodiversity. Individual action amidst systemic change is needed now more than ever to intervene and slow ecological damage. The consequences of inaction will be passed on to subsequent generations if we fail to act.

Anything that empowers us to make informed choices and fosters a culture of conservation and responsible consumption should be welcomed. It’s collective action that will mitigate climate change and safeguard ecosystems, ensuring a more sustainable future. However, while we may be invested in moving towards eco-friendly living, we do not need to strive for perfection or feel guilty for what we are unable to do. Every small effort contributes to the greater cause, and imperfect actions still make a difference. What matters is how we foster a consistent willingness to adapt and improve over time.

This post is part of the Climate Change Collective, a group of environmentally-minded bloggers who share valuable climate action news. Started by Michelle from Boomer Eco Crusader and Jamie from Jamie Ad Stories, each month a different member contributes a lead/focus post that the rest of the collective responds to on their own sites, further discussing the information and issues raised.

The collective is currently open to any other bloggers who want to join; if you are interested, get in touch.

Collective Climate Action

This month, it’s my turn to write the lead/focus post for the collective, and I decided to share some encouragement about how accepting imperfection as a pathway to meaningful climate action is possible. Recognising that our approach to incorporating sustainable lifestyle changes does not need to be flawless allows for a more pragmatic approach, fostering experimentation and adaptation to find what works.

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make. | Dr. Jane Goodall

In the face of climate change, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution; rather, it demands diverse strategies and constant evolution. Acknowledging imperfection can encourage innovation and collaboration. We, as individuals and the communities we are a part of can learn from both successes and failures. It promotes resilience, empowering us to persist in our efforts, despite setbacks or barriers. There is no doubt that there is an urgent need to stem advancing environmental damage, but we must not feel like we have to do everything without fault or all at once.

Strategies About How To Embrace Imperfect Climate Action

Imperfect individual climate action acknowledges that not everyone can make drastic changes overnight or adhere to a perfect eco-friendly lifestyle. Here are some practical strategies for taking imperfect but meaningful steps towards sustainability:

• Start Small | Identify manageable changes that fit into our lifestyle and are within our capability to achieve.

• Set Realistic Goals | Set achievable targets that can be committed to and taken up in incremental steps.

• Focus on Progress | Recognise that trying to do something perfectly all the time is unrealistic. Instead, focusing on making continuous improvements is more practical. Accept that there will be occasions when we fall short or make less eco-friendly choices; use these experiences as an opportunity for learning and growth.

• Celebrate Wins | To stay motivated and inspired, we should celebrate our achievements and milestones, no matter how small they are.

• Embrace Missteps | If we slip up or revert to less sustainable habits, we should not give up; we can get back on track at any time.

• Adapt and Adjust | Remain willing to adapt and adjust strategies as needed based on new information, changing circumstances, and evolving priorities.

Useful Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Changes You Can Make

There are many ways in which we can introduce and practice lifestyle changes that focus on climate action and becoming more environmentally aware. However, it’s important that we do not get caught up in the paradox of perfection. Aspiring for excellence can drive progress and advancement, but trying to do something flawlessly all the time may lead to burnout, a fear of failure or climate anxiety, and even being overcome and unable to act. Moreover, the focus on perfection often consumes excessive time and resources, diverting attention from more practical goals. Embracing imperfection allows for growth, learning from mistakes, and adaptation. Thus, acknowledging the paradox of perfection is essential for fostering genuine progress and sustainable development.

With this in mind, here are some common ways to introduce sustainable living in a more manageable way (adaption vs. perfection):

• Eat Less Meat | While going vegan or vegetarian is often touted as a hugely significant climate-friendly step to take, we can instead focus on cutting down on meat, particularly beef and lamb, to reduce our carbon footprint. We can also incorporate more plant-based foods into our diet, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes.

• Minimise Food Waste | Composting is a lovely way to make sustainable use of food waste; however, if this is not something we can do, we can instead plan our meals more carefully to make sure that we eat everything we buy or cook. Incorporating leftovers into a meal plan is a great way to make sure we use every scrap of food. 

• Support Local and Sustainable Brands | While some people are able to grow their own food and make their own household products or clothes, etc., many of us cannot achieve this. But we can do some research and buy from companies that prioritise sustainability and ethical practices—we can also buy secondhand.

• Lower Energy Consumption | If switching entirely to renewable energy sources, like solar or wind power, for our home is not feasible, turning off lights and electronics when not in use and choosing energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs could be a more achievable option.

• Conserve Water | Water-saving appliances may not be something we can make use of or have access to. Barriers like the cost of replacing items or living in rental properties that do not automatically come with efficient water heaters or laundry facilities, for example, may make things a little harder. However, we can still do things that reduce water use at home like take shorter showers, have a bath in a partially filled tub, turn off the faucet while brushing our teeth or shaving, and run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads only.

• Limit Paper Usage | Sometimes access to recycling is more difficult than it needs to be. If we find ourselves unable to consistently practice recycling, we can instead choose to reduce how much paper is used or comes into our home. Applying for digital alternatives to bills, bank statements, newspaper and magazine subscriptions, books, e-tickets, etc. is a great way to curtail our reliance on paper products. 

• Opt for Sustainable Transportation | If we are unable to replace our cars with greener-fueled models, we can instead opt for carpooling, biking, walking, or using public transportation—whatever is most applicable to our situation. 

In Summary

In a world increasingly aware of the urgency of environmental issues, the pressure to live a perfectly eco-conscious life can feel overwhelming. For many of us, striving for an entirely sustainable lifestyle can be daunting and unrealistic due to various constraints such as time, resources, and personal circumstances. However, there are ways to make incremental changes that collectively make a significant impact. The information and tips here have hopefully highlighted that there are a number of practical and attainable changes that do not require perfection.

Small adjustments that facilitate mindful practices and consumption habits will enable us to make personal progress, no matter our diverse lifestyles. If we’re willing to critically evaluate our purchasing decisions or how we use things in our homes, we can reach our climate action goals while also holding national and local governments, as well as polluting industry leaders, accountable for their lack of initiatives.

We can adopt an environmentally friendly mindset without succumbing to the pressure of doing everything flawlessly. By making conscious choices and celebrating progress, there are many ways to contribute positively to environmental change while navigating the complexities of modern life.

What little changes have you made that help protect our planet?

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Further Info:

55 Plant-Based Recipes Worth Trying (Even If You Eat Meat) – Taste of Home

Save Water By Placing A Bottle In Your Toilet Tank – House Digest