When you decided to help pursue environmental preservation efforts, you were hopeful. You thought that it was the right thing and you should work hard. Like any other effort you decided to commence, you felt good first. Eventually, you realize it’s not easy. After working hard, you see no changes. You can’t even convince people to follow your lead. Before you start losing hope, realize that something will eventually happen. You can’t lose hope and give up on this fight. Here’s how you can avoid feeling that way.
Look at the bright side
You only focus on the bad things going on. When you look around, natural disasters happen all the time. You also see people who don’t seem to care and are unwilling to change their ways. However, if you peek at the bright side, you will see that there are success stories. From habitat restoration to the preservation of endangered species, many people succeeded in doing something. Be hopeful since not all efforts become futile. With the right steps, you can pursue your goals.
Be with like-minded people
Your efforts are admirable but insufficient. If you hope to make a splash, be with others. Your collective efforts will lead to better results. Join organizations focused on solving environmental issues. You can volunteer your time and skills to contribute to the organization’s success. You can also recruit more people to join the effort. Besides, it’s easier to be hopeful when around people who share the same aspirations. They will also tell you that we can protect the environment with the proper steps.
Listen and learn
Another reason why you feel hopeless is the people around you. They don’t even think that global warming is real and that there’s a need to solve it. They will convince you that everything happens naturally and there’s nothing we can do about it. Instead of getting frustrated, learn how to listen. Determine why they have such beliefs and counter their points.
Present evidence and cite reliable sources. You won’t change their minds immediately, but you can plant the seeds. Who knows? They will reconsider your views and believe in what you’re fighting for. Start with your family members since they will listen to you.
Keep doing what’s right
If you feel exhausted, go back to your practice. Just because no one believes in your cause doesn’t mean you’re wrong. Continue leading by example. You can partner with a recycling facility like langleyrecyclingkc.com if you want to recycle scrap metals. You understand that recycling helps preserve energy and other resources. You can show people how to do it and why it works. If you advocate for environmental protection, you can do it through this example. No one will accuse you of being a hypocrite since you’re doing what’s right.
Visit devastated areas
You will find places that got destroyed by natural disasters. From floods to tornadoes, these places became ruined. You will also find places at risk of getting wiped out due to the rising sea levels. If you want to be more passionate about what you do, visit these places. For example, you need to see firsthand the impact of global warming. Sometimes, it’s hard to advocate for environmental protection if you have yet to see what these disasters do to people. However, you will sense the urgency when you visit the affected areas. You know that something must happen before bigger disasters arise.
Organize and select the right leaders
It’s also easier to lose hope when you have people in power who don’t share your views. They also think that global warming is a hoax and we shouldn’t do anything to solve it. The key is to elect the best leaders. If you have leaders who deny the existence of these problems, try to talk to them. Discuss what you’re doing and why they should also promote the right policies. If nothing happens, the best you can do is to replace them. You need people who will advocate for the environment. Sure, it’s not a winning message for many politicians, but it’s a good cause. These leaders must at least include environmental policies in their platforms. We need better leaders and organizing helps.
Realize that it takes time
Be patient, and don’t be frustrated with incremental changes. You can’t expect global warming to be over in a few days. You also can’t expect the achievement of your goals overnight.
Everything takes time, especially since you want to solve a global crisis. It also involves policy changes and everyone’s efforts. Therefore, if you see some positive changes, take it as a win. You’re also laying the groundwork for the future generation to do more. You can’t do everything on your own. You might not even get what you hope in your lifetime. However, you must take comfort in the fact that you started something good. You won’t feel terrible since you know that you pulled your share.
Hopefully, you can convince more people to join you or replace your current leaders if they’re not doing what’s suitable for the environment. Regardless of what you do, never lose hope. If you feel exhausted and alone, take a break. Recharge before working again. You will feel hopeless with whatever your advocacy is. You will reach a point when you think that nothing will change. However, you can’t let anything pull you down.
Remember that you’re taking the proper steps for the children. Unfortunately, they’re not yet capable of changing what’s happening now. So you owe it to them to pull your share.
Hopefully, you can see the fruits of your hard work. If not, you should feel good knowing that you did what you could do. You also inspire more people to do the same and create a pathway for the next generation to continue the effort. They will eventually take the lead, and you should be proud of what you started. The next generation will pay it forward and do the same for the next.