For the past four years, I have implemented many small changes in my life which were motivated out of environmental concern; becoming vegetarian, using keep cups, utilising public transport over cars, reusable bags, and minimal plastic use to name a few examples. However, as the world slowly but surely wakes up to the urgent need to change our ways, I have noticed the emergence of organisations which sell products in a far more responsible way than was previously available or accessible. The reality is that commodity production is environmentally harmful in most instances. However, organisations like 'Who gives a crap', who produce toilet paper out of 100% recycled toilet paper and use profits to build toilets in developing countries, offer environmentally safer alternatives to usual daily commodities. I now order 'don't give a crap', as the first step in my pledge to purchase more consciously. Through doing so, I have come to understand that there are always alternatives to purchasing from wasteful, fossil-fuel producing organisations that deserve mainstream attention. I have begun to seriously question the way I conduct myself throughout my daily life in terms of commodities I use and purchase. My goal is to phase out all products that I use which are environmentally harmful by the end of the month (March). I also feel that this 'Step' has stimulated conversations with those around me, encouraging others to do the same. Implementing meaningful change on the current climate crisis is challenging without a larger platform to do so, and the reality is that systematic change is required in order to reduce emissions. However, being more mindful in my purchases has been a step I have committed to that I feel could spark change. This is largely due to the conversation that arises from doing so, as I believe that this style of grass-roots change can be hugely beneficial.
