Everyday, whether we realize it or not, we make hundreds of decisions that impact our planet: walk past that piece of trash or pick it up and throw it away? Long shower or short? Lights on or off? The list goes on, and these are just the small, mindless decisions that most of us don't even think about. So, what would happen if we consciously made decisions (regardless of how small) to help our planet?
The way I see it, we all have an important role to play in protecting our big blue planet. It may seem hard to see the impact that one person can actually have on the Earth, but in my view one is an extremely powerful number. One decision made over and over again can lead to a larger impact, just like one person, when connected with the right resources and when joining other "ones," can affect real change.
I work at 1% for the Planet, and through our network, businesses all over the world commit to donating 1% of sales to nonprofits focusing on a variety of environmental issues like food, water, land, species and climate. I am proud that we have been able to create a platform for our member organizations to engage and make a difference by supporting environmental nonprofits. I'm excited that we are now creating an opportunity for individuals like you and me to join this growing movement that is supporting the Earth-related causes we care about. Here at 1% for the Planet, we're calling it the Blue Crew.
The 1% for the Planet Blue Crew represents a new way for individuals to insert themselves into the larger conversation about how to care for our planet. Specifically, by contributing to 1% for the Planet, individuals can join and support 1% for the Planet's expansive network. Blue Crew members make our network of more than 1,000 businesses, nonprofits and ambassadors stronger and broader in its reach, and together we tackle important environmental issues that are bigger than any of us can take on alone.
Alone, it's easy to become overwhelmed and even skeptical when searching for opportunities to do good for the Earth that truly make an impact, but when it comes to the current state of the environment, none of us can afford to wait. As issues like climate change and extinction become problems of the present rather than distant worries of the future, now is the time for us all to do our part to help protect the planet. It's simple: if we want to continue to play on it, we need to protect it.
At the end of the day, what matters most is that we recognize the power that we each have to affect change and that we all step forward to do something. If we each take this responsibility we become many and, in this context, one is no small number. So, next time you think of yourself as "just one person" remember what a powerful thing that is. Just because you're one doesn't mean you're small - it means you're one more person who can make a difference.
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