Monday, Sep 7

Dear Reader,

Each Monday, Dot has been sharing Just One Thing — a simple planet-friendly act each of us can take in our lives. And quite a few of you have been writing in to share what you’re already doing! (Keep reading, you’ll see an example below.) What if you aren’t sure what your Just One Thing might be? Well … figuring that out is today’s Just One Thing.

Marine biologist, co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab, and author Ayana Elizabeth Johnson discovered early on that she wanted to spend her life focused on ocean conservation. And she’s a firm believer that each of us can play a role in our own lives to address pollution, habitat loss, and more, and also to help shift policy. Johnson isn’t motivated by hope, she has said, but rather by a firm conviction that we have a responsibility to each other.

The climate challenge is “gargantuan,” says Johnson. We’re in an all-hands-on-deck moment, and we need everyone to participate. 

Johnson helpfully offers a venn diagram in which your climate-action sweet spot lies at the intersection of “what brings you joy?,” “what are you good at?” and “what does the world need?” If you need help drilling down into each question, listen to Johnson’s TED Talk, in which she acts as a guide. 

Ready to take a leadership role in your community or one of the levels of government? Bluedot’s Guide to Citizen Action includes organizations that will help you take the next big step.

If green investing is your Just One Thing, consider this: Daily Dot Reader Caroline Levine wrote after reading a newsletter on divestment, noting that “the group TIAA-Divest has a guide to moving your retirement money to greener alternatives. But watch out for greenwashing! TIAA pretends to offer ESG alternatives, but they're filled with fossil fuels. The same goes for all the other big retirement providers (Blackrock, Vanguard, Fidelity). Here's how to move your money” to truly greener pastures.

Determinedly,

Dot