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The Sustainable Development Goals are important, world-changing objectives that will require coop-

eration among governments, international organizations and world leaders. It seems impossible that

the average person can make an impact. Should you just give up?

No! Change starts with you. Seriously. Every human on earth—even the most indifferent, laziest per-

son among us—is part of the solution. Fortunately, there are some easy things we can adopt into our

routines that, if we all do it, will make a big difference.

Have a look at just a few of the many things you can do to make an impact!

THINGS YOU CAN DO FROM YOUR COUCH

• Save electricity by plugging appli-

ances into a power strip and turn-

ing them off completely when not

in use, including your computer.

• Stop paper bank statements and

pay your bills online or via mobile.

• Speak up! Ask your local and national

authorities to engage in initiatives that

don’t harm people or the planet. You

can also voice your support for the

Paris Agreement and ask your coun-

try to ratify it or sign it if it hasn’t yet.

• Turn off the lights. Your TV or computer

screen provides a cosy glow, so turn off

other lights if you don’t need them.

• Do a bit of online research and

buy only from companies that you

know have sustainable practices

and don’t harm the environment.

• Report online bullies. If you notice

harassment on a message board or

in a chat room, flag that person.

• In addition to the above, offset your

remaining carbon emissions! You can

calculate your carbon footprint and

purchase climate credits from Climate

Neutral Now. In this way, you help

reduce global emissions faster!”

THINGS YOU CAN DO IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

• Shop local. Supporting neighbourhood busi-

nesses keeps people employed and helps

prevent trucks from driving far distances.

• Let your favourite businesses

know that ocean-friendly sea-

food is on your shopping list.

• Shop only for sustainable seafood.

There are now many apps that will

tell you what is safe to consume.

• Bike, walk or take public transport. Save the

car trips for when you’ve got a big group.

• Use a refillable water bottle and cof-

fee cup. Cut down on waste and maybe

even save money at the coffee shop.

• Bring your own bag when you shop.

Pass on the plastic bag and start car-

rying your own reusable totes.

• Take fewer napkins. You don’t need a

handful of napkins to eat your take-

out. Take just what you need.

• Shop vintage. Brand-new isn’t neces-

sarily best. See what you can repur-

pose from second-hand shops.

• Donate what you don’t use. Local char-

ities will give your gently used clothes,

books and furniture a new life.

• Take advantage of your right to elect the

leaders in your country and local community

THINGS YOU COULD DO AT WORK

• Give fruits or snacks that you don’t want to

someone who needs and is asking for help.

• Does everyone at work have access to

healthcare? Find out what your rights are to

work. Fight against inequality.

• Mentor young people. It’s a thoughtful, in-

spiring and a powerful way to guide some-

one towards a better future.

• Voice your support for equal pay for equal

work.

• Lend your voice to talk about the lack of toi-

lets in many communities around the world!

• Make sure your company uses energy effi-

cient heating and cooling technology.

• Raise your voice against any type of discrim-

ination in your office. Everyone is equal

regardless of their gender, race, sexual orien-

tation, social background and physical abilities.

• Bike, walk or take public transport to work.

Save the car trips for when you’ve got a big

group.

• Organize a No Impact Week at work.

Learn to live more sustainably for at least

a week: un.org/sustainabledevelopment/

be-the-change.

THINGS YOU CAN DO FROM HOME

• Air dry. Let your hair and clothes dry natu-

rally instead of running a machine. If you do

wash your clothes, make sure the load is full.

• Take short showers. Bathtubs require gallons

more water than a 5-10 minute shower.

• Eat less meat, poultry, and fish.

More resources are used to pro-

vide meat than plants

• Compost—composting food scraps

can reduce climate impact while

also recycling nutrients.

• Recycling paper, plastic, glass & alu-

minium keeps landfills from growing.

• Buy minimally packaged goods.

• Plug air leaks in windows and doors

to increase energy efficiency

• Adjust your thermostat, lower in

winter, higher in summer

• Replace old appliances with energy

efficient models and light bulbs