Does individual action matter? PLUS: My new TV show
Environmental Connections is available on PBS, so tune in.
The topic of individual action as a way to change the world (for animals, for the climate, for insert-the-blank) is one I’m very passionate about, as you probably know. It’s why I’m vegan and it’s the ethos behind Our Hen House.
But the reason it’s a topic close to my heart might be surprising to you. I think individual action is important primarily because it preserves the sanity of the individual taking the action.
In other words, I don’t necessarily think that individual behavior changes (such as composting, living low-waste, or going vegan) are directly tied to the massive changes needed to adequately impact consumption habits and end the exploitation and commodification of animals and the planet.
Before you email me studies on how important individual action is, let me assure you that I know and agree. I didn’t say that individual action isn’t important; on the contrary, it’s crucial. I’m well aware that there is often a critical juncture in which society sees that something is “trending” just enough—like maybe 10% of the population, according to Malcolm Gladwell—to catch on with the rest of the community. (Notice I didn’t say “tipping point,” and that’s because I just learned about some very troubling derivations of that turn of phrase … note to Mr. Gladwell.) As I said, the entirety of my adult life has been all about the value of personal change—primarily as it relates to social change.
But the enormous changes we require regarding animals and the planet probably require a much faster unfolding than solely relying on person-to-person shifts. We also need big, sweeping policy changes, especially when it comes to climate change.
This is something I discussed with David Wallace-Wells, the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller, The Uninhabitable Earth, when I interviewed him last week for Environmental Connections, my radio show and (more on this further down so please keep reading) new TV show. I want you to listen to the episode because David outlines specifically what kinds of policy changes we need. (Needless to say, it’s one of the biggest reasons we need to vote, this year in particular. The world and all its inhabitants hang in the balance.)
But personal change still matters. If I relied only on political change, I would go bananas. Activism is just as important for the activist as for the audience they are trying to reach.
Here’s my favorite quote, attributed to Samuel Adams: “It does not take a majority to prevail; rather, an irate, tireless minority keen on setting a brushfire in people’s minds.”
Another way of looking at this is that individual action is directly tied to identifying and then embodying our personal values (I used to write quite a bit about this). From where I stand, living and breathing our values is a way of finding deep joy and satisfaction in the day-to-day, even despite the horrendous shitshow we are living in. I’m so grateful to be able to live my personal beliefs.
Before I go, I wanted to let you know that I have a new TV show called Environmental Connections. It's all about climate-related topics that impact us (and will impact us) and what to do about them. It's on WXXI TV, which is Rochester, NY's PBS (and NPR) member station (where I also host Weekend Edition). The new TV show also airs live as a radio show, though on TV it’s a bit different, as it brings in many other visual elements.
The main reason I wanted to let you know about this today is that the weekly TV show is now available on the PBS website and app — regardless of where you are (or you could catch it on Friday evenings on PBS if you’re in Rochester).
Having this show is a dream come true, and I want to make sure it is seen and heard.
With gratitude,
Jasmin.
Photo: Max Schulte
I just wanted to note that I started watching the Food Service episode and I love that LCA (life cycle assessment, by the way, not life cycle analysis, that's something else!) was mentioned as the way to quantify the environmental impacts from the production, use, transport and end-of-life of a product or service. That's what I do every day I go to work! If you're ever looking for folks to speak about LCA, I bet I could connect you to someone in the area :)
Congrats!!!!