The environment isn’t doing so well. Society needs to change. You are part of society. You know that you need to be the change. You’re also a college student with about a zillion million other commitments. Yeah, sure, you want to be an activist, but where do you even begin? Here are some tips on How to Be a College Activist!
BENEFITS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: The planet needs more people like you!
BENEFITS FOR YOU: You’ll graduate college with more than just a degree. You’ll know how to work in a group, how to network, how to lead and how to follow, how to prioritize, how to stand up for what you believe in… the list goes on.
Cost: Low—could it be any other way in college?!
Time and Effort: High. Activism requires commitment, hard work, and passion.
The Plan:
1. Don’t do it alone. Find an environmental activist group on your campus or form one of your own. If your college has several environmental groups, attend one of each of their meetings, and then decide which group suits you best.
2. Do what you love. To be an environmental activist, you don’t necessarily have to study environmental science and wear a tie-dyed shirt. You don’t even have to like crowds and screaming and petitions. Do you want to be an engineer? Join your college’s branch of Engineers for a Sustainable World. Or maybe you’re a writer or a journalist—then spearhead your college paper’s environmental beat. Is your passion fashion design? Infuse the runway with organic fabrics and energy-efficient lighting. When you do what you love, others will notice your good energy and you will inspire them.
3. Don’t try to save the world all by yourself or all at once. Our generation is tackling a great number of environmental problems that will require a lot of different solutions and a lot of different minds and hearts. Here’s the hard truth: You alone won’t fix every environmental problem. Don’t beat yourself up when everything doesn’t go according to plan. Pat yourself on the back for your successes, and realize that you’re always making progress—you’re learning! To get some inspiration, read up on around the country!
4. Eat. Sleep. Shower…You have a lot to juggle—classes, homework, exams, friends, family, activism, maybe even a job. There’s no reason to pull all-nighters and eat potato chips for dinner. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of the environment. Commit yourself to just one environmental project and join just one environmental club at a time.
5. Treat everyone with respect. Expect disagreements, even among fellow activists, and work through them. Be open to new ideas. In fact, force yourself to actively pursue new ideas. Listen to fellow students, to professors, to the guy who serves you coffee. Ask questions. Take on internships and classes that challenge you. Study abroad, or go to a part of town you’ve never been in before. It’s OK to change your opinion on environmental issues, or on any issues.
6. Take your activism online. Sometimes a Tweet is mightier than a pen. Create a blog, a Facebook page, or a Twitter account for your environmental group, and keep them updated. With a strong web presence, you’ll attract more members and more media attention.
7. Take your activism outside. Remind fellow students and activists why we should care about the environment. Suggest that your activist group meet somewhere other than a classroom—perhaps a park, a green roof, or a garden. Supplement an apartment party with an afternoon picnic or group hike.
8. Know what’s going on in the world. Read the news. It’ll give you an idea of what environmental campaigns to pursue. It’ll also make you sound like you know what you’re talking about, which might force others (such as college administrators and politicians) to seriously consider what you have to say.
9. Make sure your group fundraises responsibly. As an environmental activist group, you shouldn’t contribute to overconsumption. You should not encourage students to buy a tenth T-shirt, even if that T-shirt is organic. Sell products that send the right message—like native plants or organic baked goods. Better yet, fundraise with events or services. Schedule a bicycle maintenance clinic, a 5K run, or an outdoor yoga class.
10. Don’t put off environmental activism until next semester. Anne Frank said it best, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”1
If you are not yet a college student, but looking for a college that is already a leader in sustainability, check out this Greeniacs Article: to find your perfect fit☺
