How to be an Activist from Home?
We can all be activists! You don’t even have to go to a protest. You can be an activist from HOME! If you want to learn what it takes to be an environmentalist and activist, check out this video. But, spoiler alert, all it takes is caring for the planet and putting your words into action, whatever that means for YOU.
Just like with zero waste, there is no one-size-fits-all way to be an activist, either. I fully acknowledge as a chronically ill girlie that not everyone can attend protests, rallies, marches, etc. But don’t let that stop you from being an activist in other ways!
What are those other ways?
Make phone calls
Phone calls are usually seen as the most effective form of at-home activism. You can contact your reps in a timely manner and also get a response promptly. Plus, large volumes of phone calls help make the news and bring national attention to a certain issue or cause.
But how?
Use the 5 Calls app! You simply just need to enter your zip code, and it will provide you with your 3 reps, their phone numbers, and a script for the designated issues. It is very little work on your part, and it helps ease some anxiety with the script. You can even call after hours to leave a message instead of speaking to a human being. You won’t actually speak to your reps; you will speak to an aide.
This app also makes it very easy to call daily and call about a variety of issues. It’s great that we all care about the environment, but we should care about more than that, too. Use this app to show that you care and take action about those things!
Send emails
Emails are also very effective! This is great for those who can’t or maybe get nervous talking on the phone. Or, do both! To send an email, you can go to Congress.gov to find your reps. This will provide you with a phone number and an email/contact form. Compose whatever you’d like to and hit send! I like this option because you can copy and paste it into all 3 emails to save some time.
Otherwise, try Resistbot. This chatbot finds the emails for you and does all the sending. You simply just need to text it whatever message you’d like them to send for you. You can do this via text, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more.
General tips for writing and calling:
Be concise
Stick to one topic at a time
Provide action items
Ask them to respond with proof that they are taking action
Sign petitions
Yes, petitions work! Sure, it’s no guarantee that someone will do something. Then, how do they work? Similar to phone calls and emails, it build the pressure. It puts public pressure on your elected officials to make the changes you and your neighbors are demanding. Yes, you can ask them to do something on your own, but they’re much more likely to back an idea with 100s or even 1000s of voices behind it.
Take petitions public on social media, local newsletter, and local news stations to really get the ball rolling and add to the public pressure.
Plus, they often take less than a minute to sign!
Read and support your local library
I think one of the best ways we can be activists is to get educated. No, that does not mean going to school. Simply reading free books from the library is a form of activism and learning! Plus, it’s amazing to support your local library. That is also a form of activism. They are the one free thing we have in the US and they offer so many economical and environmental benefits that I outline here.
So, pick your topic of interest and get to learning! Maybe it’s politics or environmental science or racial injustice or feminism or activism. There are so many amazing books out there. If you’re not sure where to start, I highly encourage The Intersectional Environmentalist by Leah Thomas. It’s short, sweet, and has discussion questions. Plus, it helps you better understand why all of these topics need to coexist.
Find my full list of book recs here.
Boost content you see online
A super easy way to support online activists who are making content and doing the ground work is to support their content, especially their free content. What does this look like? Yes, views matter, but other engagement matters more: likes, comments (meaningful, long comments), sharing to your story, sharing the link outside the app, and encouraging your friends to follow them, too.
No, I’m not just saying this in the hopes that I get more views. I’ve said this from the beginning. I am not making this content for fame and glory. I am making it because it’s important and needs to be seen. THAT’S why I want it boosted!
And, I’m saying this so that you support other creators as well. Become a mindful consumer of content. Share what you care about to help it reach more eyes!
Follow diverse creators and activists
Speaking of content creators, make sure you’re following diverse voices. Don’t just follow me. Follow other activists of color, activists of different genders and sexualities, activists from different countries, activists of different ages, and so forth. Why?
It all comes back to intersectionality (learn more here). It is important that we hear different perspectives and life stories. It helps us foster empathy and expand our worldviews to care about more than what affects us directly.
You never know what you might learn from someone with a different world view than your own!
Make your own content
You can also join the fight online by making your own content! It doesn’t have to be extravagant or fancy. Simply pick up the high-quality camera you already have, that is, your smartphone, and get to creating on free apps like Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and more. These are very accessible if you want to get to creating. Blogs and YouTube may require more money and content but are worth the investment if that is your passion.
Yes, you can still make a difference even if you start from scratch today. Many people started their online activism in the wake of the genocide of Palestinians and continue their good work to this day. They help raise $1000s of dollars to save numerous lives. You can do that too for a cause that matters to you!
Buy less
One of the best things we can do for the planet and for human justice is to buy less. Our money has power so let’s use it as such by voting with your dollar. Think before you buy. Do you really need that item? Can something in your home get the job done? And also think before you throw away. Can you mend that item instead? Can you upcycle it to give it new life? Can you donate or resell it?
You can get my full guide to breaking up with consumerism here. This guide breaks down why this topic is so important and how you can learn to be content with what you have. Overconsumption is fueling climate change and also lining the pockets of the ultrawealthy. Help both problems with one solution!
Trade with your neighbors
Similarly to that, use your items in a meaningful way by trading with your neighbors. Simply join your local Buy Nothing Group, usually hosted on Facebook. You can request items, give items away, or browse for already-posted items. You get stuff for free and give stuff away for free, too!
You can also trade services. Say you bake sourdough and your friend does photography. See if they’d be interested in a loaf of bread for some family photos. Or maybe your friend is an artist. You could babysit their kids in exchange for a piece of art instead of money. You get the idea. Trade your items and your skills with your neighbors. This is just another form of voting with your dollar that also helps to keep stuff out of the landfill and prevents the creation of new items.
Inspire others to do these actions
Don’t stop with yourself! Get others involved in the easy activism action, too! Show them this blog post or accompanying video or simply plant these ideas in their head the next time you’re chatting over dinner. Maybe you find a fun infographic to share with them from social media or start a book club together. Whatever the motivation is, the end result will be the same: more at-home activists
And, don’t stop there! If you want to take to the streets, take to the streets! If you want to run for local office, run! You get the idea. Your activism doesn’t have to stop here. Let this be your first stepping stone.
Of course, if this is all you can do or are comfortable with, that’s amazing. I don’t want to downplay that. But, at the same time, if you want to do more, do it.
Let’s get to action together!
I know these actions alone will not save the planet, but they still matter. Every positive thing we do matters. Don’t let them tell you otherwise!
As always, remember that your small actions make a big difference in the long run :)
Emma
