Sustainability Starts with Us: Small Actions That Lead to Major Change

Written by: Energy Guardians

Last Updated: April 26, 2025.

As leaders, it is imperative that we help humanity grasp the complexities of the major social and environmental challenges of our time. The global community must work collaboratively to strategize, advocate for decisive climate action, and broaden the reach of the environmental movement.

A global call to action must emphasize the critical importance of sustainability, renewable energy, restoring Earth's natural balance, and advancing toward a waste-free world. We can drive meaningful change by supporting organizations that integrate eco-friendly practices into their core operations and by promoting businesses that honour their environmental commitments. Furthermore, we must recognize the transformative potential of conservation psychology in inspiring behavioural shifts that safeguard our environment.

It is essential to hold all sectors accountable for their contributions to the environmental crisis, while simultaneously demanding bold, innovative solutions. True progress will require coordinated action across every level of society, from business and investment to city and national governance.

Finally, here are several impactful ways you, as an individual, can strengthen your commitment to sustainability. By embodying environmentally responsible choices, you can serve as a role model with significant influence, as a consumer, a voter, and a community member, helping to drive positive, lasting change for our planet.

Everyday Sustainability Engagements:

Mindful Eating and Water Conservation - Reducing the consumption of water-intensive foods is a powerful way to engage in daily sustainability practices. Notably, food systems are responsible for about 70% of global freshwater withdrawals.

For instance, the water footprint of beef is approximately 15,000 litres per kilogram—over 50 times greater than that of potatoes, which requires about 287 litres per kilogram. By making conscious dietary choices and favouring foods with a lower water footprint, individuals can significantly contribute to the preservation of this vital resource.

Advocate for a Plant-Based Diet — A Path Toward Ethical Sustainability

Each of us can contribute meaningfully to a healthier planet by reducing food waste and embracing more plant-based meals in our daily lives.

There is overwhelming evidence that diets rich in animal products and ultra-processed foods are major contributors to chronic health issues and environmental degradation. In light of these findings, it is increasingly recognized that embracing plant-based diets is not only beneficial but an ethical imperative, supporting individual health, environmental sustainability, equitable resource distribution, and global health justice.

Advocating for the normalization of plant-based choices over high-impact animal products can take many forms:

• Promoting education around the health and environmental benefits of plant-based foods

• Providing plant-based catering options at events and meetings

• Endorsing initiatives such as the Plant-Based Treaty

• Lobbying policymakers to support a shift toward plant-based food systems

• Divesting from companies that drive the expansion of animal agriculture

By supporting these efforts, we can accelerate a cultural shift toward a more ethical, sustainable, and health-conscious global food system.

Reduce Your Digital Carbon Footprint - Delete Unnecessary Emails and Photos

Reducing digital clutter by deleting unnecessary emails, photos, and documents is a simple yet impactful way to lower your digital carbon footprint. Every digital file, whether it is an email, a photo, or a social media comment, travels through multiple energy-intensive layers of internet infrastructure, including computer servers housed in massive data centres.

These data centres not only consume vast amounts of electricity but also require significant water resources for cooling systems such as chillers, cooling towers, and liquid-based cooling methods. Additionally, electricity generation for powering data centres often relies on water-intensive processes like steam production.

Beyond water and energy consumption, data centre operations also have considerable environmental impacts in terms of material use and carbon emissions. By managing our digital footprint, we can contribute to reducing the hidden environmental costs associated with our increasingly connected world.

Reject Plastic Whenever Possible - Protect Health and the Environment

Choosing to reject plastic whenever possible is a powerful step toward protecting both human health and the environment. Plastics are derived primarily from fossil fuels and their production carries greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts comparable to other fossil fuel-based industries.

More than 16,000 chemicals are used in the manufacture of plastics, with at least 4,200 identified as hazardous to human health and ecosystems. Alarmingly, thousands more remain untested. Many of these chemicals can leach from plastic packaging into our food, drinks, household products, and ultimately, into our bodies.

To reduce plastic use and its associated risks, we can adopt simple, impactful practices:

• Purchase goods in bulk to minimize packaging waste.

• Always bring reusable bags when shopping.

• Host gatherings that eliminate single-use plastics entirely.

• When dining out, order smaller portions to avoid the need for plastic take-out containers.

By making conscious choices every day, we can reduce our reliance on plastics and drive demand for safer, more sustainable alternatives.

Protect Ecosystems - Strengthen Nature-Based Solutions for a Sustainable Future

Protecting ecosystems is critical to ensuring a healthy planet for future generations. Efforts such as creating habitats for pollinators, restoring wetlands, combating deforestation, and promoting nature-based solutions are essential to building resilience against environmental challenges.

Nature-based solutions enhance the strength and stability of ecosystems, safeguard biodiversity, and contribute significantly to human well-being. Healthy, well-managed ecosystems provide a wide range of vital services, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, securing clean and reliable water sources, improving air quality, and strengthening food security.

By prioritizing the protection and restoration of natural environments, we can create a more resilient planet while addressing some of the most pressing social and environmental issues of our time.

Go Organic Whenever Possible - Support Healthier Agriculture and a Healthier Planet

Choosing organic products whenever possible is a meaningful way to support sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. Organic farming practices help to reduce pollution, conserve water, decrease soil erosion, improve soil fertility and health, and require less energy compared to conventional farming methods. Importantly, organic agriculture also plays a critical role in mitigating the effects of climate change.

USDA-certified organic foods are grown and processed according to strict federal guidelines that focus on:

Animal Welfare: Prohibiting the use of antibiotics, growth hormones, and animal by-products in livestock feed.

Natural Pest and Weed Control: Employing only natural, non-synthetic substances for managing pests and weeds.

Biologically Based Farming Methods: Utilizing practices such as regular crop rotations to maintain soil health and biodiversity.

Avoidance of Harmful Substances: Prohibiting most conventional pesticides, bioengineering techniques, ionizing radiation, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

By choosing organic, consumers contribute to healthier food systems, protect natural ecosystems, and promote farming methods that align with long-term environmental and public health goals.

Save Our Soil - Protecting the Foundation of Our Food Systems

Safeguarding soil health is essential for maintaining global food security, particularly as prolonged droughts become more frequent in a warming world. Without urgent action to restore and retain soil moisture, the Earth’s soils will continue to degrade, threatening the stability of vital food supplies.

One proven method for sustaining soil health is the use of cover crops. These plants produce valuable biomass, establish strong root systems, and nourish the soil by capturing nutrients and storing carbon, ultimately enhancing soil fertility and resilience.

Because soil type and quality significantly influence what crops can be grown, it is critical to support research initiatives that help farmers better understand and manage their soils, specifically tailored to regional conditions. Institutions like the University of Vermont’s new Soil Health Research and Extension Centre (SHREC) are leading the way by providing farmers with precise soil analysis and actionable strategies to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

By championing soil conservation efforts, we can help ensure a thriving food system for generations to come.

Support Small-Scale Agriculture: Strengthening Resilience and Community

Small-scale farmers are at the forefront of building agricultural resilience through biodiversity, community interconnectedness, and sustainable practices. True resilience is rooted in maintaining the health and strength of both ecosystems and communities.

Unfortunately, many small farms have been severely impacted by funding freezes, cancelled grant programs, and policy shifts that challenge their very existence. Despite these setbacks, their role in promoting food security, biodiversity, and local economic stability remains critical.

Consumers, backyard gardeners, donors, volunteers, and civic advocates are integral to sustaining this resilience. By supporting small-scale agriculture through purchasing local produce, participating in community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, advocating for funding, and engaging in local policymaking, we all play a vital role in preserving vibrant, healthy food systems for future generations.

Speak Up with Agency and Enthusiasm - Inspire Collective Action for the Planet

No matter the path you choose toward living more sustainably, it is vital to connect with others and engage with organizations that are actively pursuing climate action. There is no single "right" approach; rather, it is essential to honour and learn from diverse cultures, traditions, and knowledge systems as we craft strategic, tangible action plans to help nourish and protect our planet.

When individuals come together to collaborate on solutions to global challenges like climate change, they not only amplify their impact but also foster a sense of hope and shared purpose. Speaking up with agency and enthusiasm strengthens the collective voice for change and empowers communities to envision and create a more resilient, sustainable future.

It is important to recognize that these small, individual actions play a significant role in protecting our planet. By embracing these changes, we lay the foundation for addressing larger initiatives, such as encouraging the transition to electric vehicles and reducing reliance on air travel. Every step counts toward a more sustainable future.

If you have any questions or would like to explore how these strategies can be implemented within your organization, please feel free to contact us. We are here to support you.