Discover Your Passion: How to Find Purpose in Environmentalism

The planet we live in is in crisis without any doubt. Environmental issues such as climate change, deforestation, oceans litter, and landfills are growing exponentially, and it is essential to make changes. However, making changes to the environment is a challenging task that seems impossible. People have grown increasingly detached from nature and the earth. Consuming and disposing of products have become easy and convenient. But those actions have proven to aggravate the condition of our planet, and it is high time for us to notice that. Fortunately, finding passion in environmentalism can be easier than we think.

Discovering one’s passion is the first step in changing the world. Environmentalism is a field that offers a wide range of opportunities that can positively impact the earth and our relationship with it. Finding the passion for environmentalism can be life-changing. It opens up opportunities to make a positive impact on the environment, develop a career path that is meaningful, and improve one’s mental and emotional wellbeing.

Here are some ways to help discover and nurture a passion for environmentalism:

1. Assess Personal Interests and Beliefs

The first step to finding passion in environmentalism is to assess personal interests and beliefs. Identify what specific environmental issues are essential to you. Consider the reasons why environmental issues are important to you. Maybe it’s because you are an animal lover, or maybe it’s because you believe it’s your responsibility to take care of the environment. Whatever the reasons are, identifying them is necessary in developing a passion for environmentalism.

2. Research Environmental Issues

After evaluating personal interests and beliefs, research different issues related to the environment. Find out what’s happening on a local, national, and global scale. Look for problems that have a direct impact on personal interests and beliefs. Researching environmental issues is a critical step in finding one’s passion for environmentalism. By doing so, there are opportunities to find different ways to take action, collaborate with others and look for sustainable solutions.

3. Join Environmental Organizations

Joining an environmental organization is an excellent way to connect with like-minded individuals and professionals with similar interest in environmentalism. Environmental organizations are instrumental in developing a passion for environmentalism. They provide learning opportunities, skills development, leadership training, and exposure to different environmental issues. Engaging with an environmental organization introduces new opportunities to make connections with people that have similar interests, experiences and expose individuals to new ways of engaging with environmental problems.

4. Volunteer

Volunteering is an excellent way to gain hands-on experience with environmental issues, learn directly from professionals, and contribute to environmental solutions. It’s a chance to put one’s passion for environmentalism into action. There are ample opportunities to volunteer at local or international level organizations, and these experiences expose individuals to the aspects of environmentalism that are not possible to learn from books, theories or through virtual reality experiences.

Benefits of Finding Passion in Environmentalism:

1. Career Development

Environmentalism provides vast opportunities for career development. The focus on environmental protection and sustainability is creating more opportunities for environmentally responsible careers and green business initiatives. The Green economy is expected to grow at 5.6% urges by 2020 that can offer 55.3 million jobs around the globe. The jobs and positions in this industry range from laboratory professionals, engineers, researchers, social scientists, designers and policy experts.

2. Self-Discovery

Finding passion in environmentalism may lead to self-discovery. Environmentalism is not only about protecting the environment; it’s about building a better relationship with nature and ourselves. Certain environmental causes or issues may resonate with people more than others. This may lead to certain thoughts or beliefs about one’s identity or values. Discovering personal interests and beliefs are crucial to pursuing a purpose-driven life that is meaningful and fulfilling.

3. Interpersonal and Intercultural Learning

Environmentalism is a collaborative field. It requires collaboration and cooperation to bring about sustainable solutions. Joining an environmental organization or volunteering exposes individuals to people with different backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives. Engaging with these groups encourages teamwork, social learning, and multicultural understanding. Learning how to communicate with people from different backgrounds is a valuable skill that can be applied to almost every aspect of life.

4. Increased Happiness and Mental Well-Being

Working towards a sustainable future is a rewarding experience that offers great potential for positive impact. Engaging in activities that reflect one’s passion in environmentalism can lead to increased happiness, fulfillment, and sense of accomplishment. Pursuing environmental goals create an avenue for positive self-worth, motivation, and offers an opportunity to contribute to issues that are larger than oneself. Several research studies suggest spending time in green spaces has a positive correlation with mental wellbeing and reduced stress levels.

Tips to Make an Impact in Environmentalism:

1. Use Sustainable Products

Every product we consume big or small has an impact on the environment. Choosing sustainable products and reducing reliance on single-use items has a significant impact on the environmental footprint. This category includes reusable water bottles, bamboo brushes, and biodegradable coffee cups. All these small gestures collectively contribute to a significant difference.

2. Reduce Energy Usage

Reducing Global warming by reducing energy usage is a well-known fact. We can make conscious changes that influence our energy consumption by turning off electrical appliances when not in use, using natural light when possible, replacing regular bulbs with LED and using energy star appliances. These can eventually lead to significant reductions in energy costs and carbon footprint.

3. Look for Opportunities to Volunteer

Volunteering is an excellent way to contribute skills, time, and effort to environmental causes. Opportunities to volunteer can range from individual initiatives in the community, partnering with local organizations, or joining large-scale efforts with a massive impact. Look for volunteering opportunities that align with personal interests and make an impact in protecting the environment.

4. Support Environmental Organizations

Supporting environmental organizations can be done in several ways. These include monetary donations, joining membership, sharing the organization’s message with others, and attending events or rallies. These acts help the organization to continue running their programs, reach more people, and ultimately provide impact in more areas.

Environmentalism has become more critical than ever before. Finding passion in environmentalism is one way individuals can help make a positive change. The passion can lead to career development, self-discovery, interpersonal learning, and increased happiness. The journey towards discovering personal passion and taking action towards achieving sustainability requires personal responsibility, optimistic attitude, and continuous learning towards making positive impact. Take the initiative, and let’s work together to restore earth’s beauty.