Exploring actions and roles that inspire you

In the previous step, you got to see a small selection of the many great ways in which people are contributing to tackling the climate crisis.

These are things that you can, in principle, do too. Maybe some examples really resonated with you, whilst others didn’t. We all find different things inspiring, meaningful, or comfortable. But there’s something for everyone. The key is to find the type of action that feels right for you.

In this step, we’ll explore a broader range of case studies of people making real-world changes in their communities and beyond. These examples showcase a variety of actions, from grassroots activism to innovative projects. As you review these stories, think about which actions resonate most with you and where you can see yourself making a difference.

Climate education

Elizabeth Wathuti, founder of the Green Generation Initiative in Kenya, focuses on educating young people about how to take care of our natural environment. Through her initiative, she has helped plant over 30,000 trees and encourages children to nurture them by teaching them about the importance of nature-based solutions for tackling the climate crisis and food insecurity.

Elizabeth believes that fostering a deep connection between young people and nature is key to addressing the climate crisis. Her work in environmental education empowers the next generation to take an active role in protecting the planet.

Climate-friendly farming

RedeSAFAS, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Kakataima community in Quindío, Colombia, practices and teaches agroecology, a type of farming method which produces high yields of healthy organic food. It also reduces emissions and the need for harmful chemicals, increasing the resilience of food systems and ecosystems to climate change impacts. Through the Kakataima Agroecology School, farmers train each other and new generations of farmers in these sustainable, nature-based farming methods.

Climate advocacy

Editorial credit: Philip King / Shutterstock.com.

Emilia Reyes is a leading voice for gender-responsive climate policies and social justice on the global stage. As Programme Director at Equidad de Género: Ciudadanía, Trabajo y Familia in Mexico, she works to ensure that climate solutions address both environmental sustainability and equity, particularly for marginalised communities in the Global South. Emilia has been an advocate at major international forums, including the United Nations’ international climate summits, where she champions systemic reforms to the global economic structures that drive climate change.

Renewable energy communities

RevoluSolar, based in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, is pioneering community-owned solar energy projects. It was formed by local leaders and electricians with the aim to fight against energy poverty and contribute to a fair, inclusive and popular energy transition. By installing solar panels in low-income neighbourhoods, they provide clean, affordable energy, thus enabling emissions reductions while fostering economic and environmental justice. RevoluSolar also offers training programmes, which empowers local residents with skills in solar installation and maintenance and thereby contributes to creating green jobs within the community.

Promoting climate action

In South Africa, youth-led organisations like the African Climate Alliance are pushing for stronger climate policies from their government, particularly focused on climate justice. They have organised marches, campaigns, and educational workshops to raise awareness about the urgency of climate action, particularly in regions vulnerable to drought and extreme weather. This movement highlights the power of youth voices in advocating for change at the political level.

Climate campaigns

University students and community groups around the world have launched campaigns to urge their institutions to divest from fossil fuels and move their investments to renewable energy instead. Through petitions, peaceful protests, and meetings with administration, this global movement has seen real success, getting universities and institutions to divest billions from fossil fuels.

Making businesses more climate-friendly

Many employees are forming ‘Green Teams’ within their workplaces to push for sustainable practices. These teams often lobby their management to reduce their company’s climate impact. Some examples include:

• switching to low-carbon suppliers,
• using more energy-efficient production processes,
• switching to renewable energy providers,
• incentivising employees to commute by bike or public transport rather than by car.

As you can see, there are many ways that you can take action to help stop the climate crisis. The above cases just provide illustrative examples of the many different forms each type of action can take. Throughout the course, we’ll explore a wide range of further examples.

We all have different strengths and skills that can all be used to help our societies transition towards lower emissions and more just societies.

Have your say

Thinking about these different types of climate action, consider your responses to the following questions:  

• Which actions or roles resonate most with you?  
• Is there another type of action you’re interested in?

Share your thoughts and discuss with other learners in the Comments section.