How can we actually invest in our planet?
While protecting the planet, spotlighting campaigns and sharing stories of progress is something we do year-round at The Know, Earth Day provides the perfect opportunity to show our planet a little extra love.
This year’s theme is Invest In Our Planet - and it’s all about calling on governments, businesses and individuals to invest in a better and greener future.
There’s no doubt that governments and corporations have the largest role to play in halting climate change. But while individual choices are a much smaller contributor to the climate crisis, the steps we take (think: recycling, ditching the car and reducing our meat consumption) definitely do matter.
Individual choices definitely do matter.
The current speed and scale of environmental progress is a massive source of worry for many - trust us, we feel it too. So that’s why we’ve pulled together five actionable ideas of what investing in the planet might actually look like for us.
Invest wisely in your purchases
There are ways of investing your money so that it’s used for positive change - however, for many of us on a budget, making climate-friendly financial choices isn’t always easy,
The good news? You don’t have to have lots of cash to make a difference. Buying second hand is key, as is checking whether the brands you buy from are B Corps (in other words, doing things sustainably and ethically).
But perhaps the most sustainable thing you can do is to use up and invest in what you already own, such as making the most of your makeup or mending or upcycling your old clothes.
Invest in your food
Again, this is definitely harder if you’re on a budget - and you shouldn’t beat yourself up if you can’t afford to switch shopping habits.
But aside from going veggie, there are other ways to make more eco-friendly food choices. Opt for locally-sourced and seasonal produce where possible (heading to your local market has the added bonus of supporting local producers and being a fun morning out).
Reducing food waste also helps the planet as well as our wallets - so consider meal prepping if, like us, this is something you struggle with.
And, if you have the space, growing your own mini herb garden is a rewarding and eco-friendly activity. If you don’t have a garden, buy a pot of basil, parsley or coriander to keep on your windowsill.
Invest in your local area and community
If you do have a garden, rewilding is a fun - and pretty - way to encourage nature to bloom right on your doorstep.
Joining a community group - for tree planting, litter picking or conservation work - can be a rewarding activity, with the added bonus of meeting people in your local area.
Worrying about climate change isn’t just exhausting but it can also feel pretty isolating. Working alongside like-minded people to make a difference to your local environment can be a great way to start feeling a little more connected and hopeful.
Use your voice
There are a fair few ways you could do this. One is by educating friends and family on climate change - whether via social media or IRL. Or you could sign petitions calling on governments and corporations to take urgent action.
Another option is to donate money or time to support victims of natural disasters caused by climate change around the world.
Invest in your own wellbeing
We know all too well how tiring it can be to worry about the planet - so we want to stress the importance of looking after yourself, too. We can’t drive change if we’re feeling burned out, and we all deserve to live a life free from eco-anxiety - check out our tips for tackling it here.
So as much as we’re celebrating the planet this Earth Day, we’re also celebrating the steps that we, as individuals, have taken so far to build a better, greener and fairer world.