What shall I do about social problems?

There’s no room for passive spectators: words without actions are empty and futile. The life we live, not the words we speak, determines our eternal destiny, John MacArthur.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing, Edmund Burke.

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek, Barack Obama.

So you want to make a difference in this world, make this world a better place by becoming a better person, a more responsible citizen by helping people who need it, giving your time, money, and even your heart to a cause that matters to you, but maybe you just don’t know how or where to start.

Let me suggest some ideas.

• Firstly, educate yourself, get informed, find out about the real facts (be aware of highly opinionated news channels), causes, consequences, and implications of what is going on in the world, and create your own informed opinions about global issues that affect us all.

Promote reforms in education that help to increase citizens’ knowledge and awareness about social, economic, and environmental challenges that affect us all. We must build a society with educated people able to think, understand what is going on, and act accordingly. Do not let yourself be manipulated by mass media and by political and economic interests or distracted by reality TV, gossiping, shopping, playing videogames, or social media.

• Be the change you wish to see in the world. Drive less, use more public transport, walk or ride your bicycle to work, school and anywhere you can. Reduce waste in your life, consume less, and live a more minimalist lifestyle, try to reuse, refill, and recycle as much as possible.

• Consume less energy. Turn off electrical appliances/lights when you are not using them, use less heat and air-conditioning, and buy energy-efficient appliances and vehicles.

• Conserve water at home by turning off the tap when brushing your teeth and shaving, fixing leaky pipes and faucets, taking shorter showers, and running only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. Boycott products that use genuine fur and leather.

• Start small, and then work your way up. Consider your skills, abilities, and expertise, as well as your interests and limitations (time, health, and economic situation).

• You may want to read our free ebooks. We hope to inspire you to make the world a better and more beautiful place: The poor rich man, Biggest problems, Water, Extraordinary animals, A very bad day, Why are there so many wars in the world today?, Energy, Nature At Its Worst, Non violence, The wizard’s apprentices IV

• You are not alone, and neither are you too small, young, or old to make a difference! Watch the video The girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes. Severn Cullis-Suzuki was a girl born and raised in Vancouver. She founded the Environmental Children’s Organization (ECO) and raised money to attend the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro when she was 12. She delivered a passionate, emotional speech which inspired millions. She demonstrated that everyone can be effective and influential.

  

You may also want to watch the following videos: The Story of stuff is a look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. Overdose: The next financial crisis. The biggest scam in the history of manking. Let me tell you a hint: Fiat money is created from thin air since 1971! One human family, Food for All.

• Be proactive, put pressure on politicians and policy makers to end wars and take firm action against global warming, hunger, water scarcity, and poverty. Get involved, become a member, volunteer or join an NGO, participate in protests or rallies, write and share letters, posts, tweets, and emails to governments, companies, newspapers, etc. voicing your concerns.

  

• Donate some money to charities or non-profit organizations.