Written by Start Your Personal Climate Action (Even If You’re Not the DIY Type)
Not into building pergolas or digging swales? You’re not alone. And you’re not off the hook, either. Here’s how to start your climate action project without lifting a shovel.
If you’re someone who:
- doesn’t have the tools, interest or temperament for hands-on projects
- lives in an apartment
- has limited mobility or time
You’re still in the right place.
Climate action is different for everyone and should be tailored to your skills and interests to prevent burnout. There’s a path for you.
Start by Finding Your Leverage
You have more power than you think. Your voice, vote, wallet, and Wi-Fi are tools. And when used well, they build real change.
Here are some avenues to get started:
Identify Local Players
Look for groups already working toward climate solutions near you:
- Municipal climate action plans (check your town or county website)
- Environmental or watershed committees
- Transition towns
- Climate hubs, co-ops, or food security networks
- Even church groups or libraries may have green projects underway
Ask: Who’s already doing the work? How can I support them?
Make a Call
Yes, calling feels old-school, but it works. Contact:
- Your town council about greener policies or programs
- Local MLAs/MPs about funding or legislation
- School boards or community groups about sustainability in events or education
A quick call or email adds up, especially if ten others do it, too. Be the ripple.
2. Find Your Circle
You don’t have to do this alone. (In fact, please don’t.)
Join or Start a Repair Circle
Not all repair cafés need to be about fixing toasters—some need hosts, sign-makers, organizers, or coffee brewers. Look for:
- Online platforms like Repair Café International
- Local community halls, tool libraries, or makerspaces
- Or start a small informal group that meets monthly and shares a few skills
Community Is a Climate Tool
Find your “climate home”—somewhere you can plug in your energy:
- Join a book club or film night focused on climate themes
- Volunteer with a tree planting, food bank garden, or advocacy group
- Host an informal climate conversation night with a few friends
Even just being that person who shares well-researched climate links (with less doom, more do) is a role worth playing.
3. Use What You’ve Got
Your Brain
- Attend webinars or public consultations and share a short summary online
- Learn about climate justice, mitigation vs. adaptation, or local policies
- Help translate dense information into plain language for others
Buying Power
- Support businesses that are transparent about sustainability
- Ask stores about compostable options, refill stations, or better packaging
- Choose fewer, better things and share what works with others
Social Media
- Use social media to lift up small, hopeful climate stories
- Share local events, encourage others to get involved, and add a personal spin
- Start a group chat or mailing list for local action updates
4. Build Personal Resilience (It’s Part of the Work)
If we’re serious about climate action, we need to prepare for the changes already coming. Building habits and systems that make you, your family, and your neighbours more resilient—emotionally, practically, and socially.
Some quiet but powerful examples:
- Create an emergency plan (with neighbours if possible)
- Keep a climate journal and track the changes you see
- Learn how to grow something—anything—on your windowsill
- Normalize conversations about change, adaptation, and care