Let’s Talk Trash: Anger or advocacy?

It can be disheartening to witness disregard for the planet. Plastic-filled oceans, the smoke stacks of industry, and over-consumption of world resources are justifiably in our face.

These natural consequences to the way humanity is living can overwhelm some into apathy and others to anger. Redirecting our attention toward positive action and grounded advocacy, however, might just be a better use of our time and energy.

Getting educated about the scale of our ecological crisis can result in feeling drained, both because of the gravity of the challenges and the sense that one person can’t change the momentum of a freight train. The deeper reality is that we are all involved – either by action or inaction – in consenting to the direction of the health of our ecosystems.

Rather than this taking the wind out of our sails, knowing the inevitability of our impact can strengthen our commitment to making efforts where we can. Choosing to sort our waste, compost, reuse, repair, buy locally, drive less, switch to energy efficient appliances, practice a low-impact diet, use non-toxic products, invest in a less polluting wood stove, clean up a local beach, shop secondhand, and dispose of our hazardous waste responsibly is our “vote” for the planet.

Another common reaction to the state of the planet’s health is to rage against the fires of industry or yell at the litterbugs. There is a feeling of righteousness when we wag a finger at villains. If our intention is to affect change, however, this rarely works, and more often results in a draining argument ending in a stalemate.

Curiously, it seems to be true that what we react to strongly in others is a reflection of something we also do ourselves, albeit on a lesser scale perhaps. When in doubt, doubling down on cleaning up our own environmental act is always a winning option.

The most profound advocacy for change seems to come from an impassioned, yet grounded person. Sustainability champions preach their sermon simply by being themselves.

We all know we are far more likely to gain the ear of those around us when we are level-headed anyway. This doesn’t rule out the vital role of advocacy for the protection of our resources or prevention of polluting practices. Now more than ever guardians are needed to speak for the soil, forest, water, air and all that life here relies on.

We do need to raise our voice for the voiceless, and the best voice is one anchored in the bedrock of an informed and calm base. There is a place for writing to your MP, sharing your concerns with a business owner, informing friends about eco-practices, and even peaceably standing in the way of immoral resource extraction. What better attitude to approach these potentially pivotal encounters than one of unwavering composure.

With all that a day requires of us, conserving our energy and directing it with precision serves us. It can also be a gift to the earth, when we choose to speak and act on its behalf from a place of calmness and clarity.

Let’s Talk Trash is qathet Regional District’s waste-reduction education program. For more information, email [email protected] or go to LetsTalkTrash.ca.