365 small steps, 1 giant leap for our planet

Mahatma Gandhi said "Be the change you want to see in the world"


I like to think that when I leave this world, people will say I made a positive impact, in some small way, that, upon my passing, this world is in slightly better shape than it was when I entered it - doesn't everyone?

But when I look around me, everything I hear, see and read about the shape of the world today is so overwhelming, I doubt that I can do anything that really makes a difference.

Doesn't everyone?

And herein lies the problem. If everyone (or most of us) believe the problems of poverty, environmental disaster, rampant consumerism, racism, discrimination, sexual abuse and violence, war, corporate greed and life threatening illness are too big, too complex and too far gone for us as individuals to change, then what hope is there?

Are the richest and most powerful people on the planet going to save us? Nope, even the brave philanthropic efforts of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates are not enough.

Are the Governments and powerbrokers of the strongest and wealthiest countries going to save us? Nope, they're too busy either saving themselves and protecting their own national interests.

Are the Gods going to save us? Who knows?

Are the myriad non-profits and non government organisations going to save us? Heaven knows they're trying, but....

So, what if....?

What if every person in every developed country on the planet made just one small change?

Just one small change, such as....

Ate less meat (ie Meat Free Monday)
Gave up using plastic bags. Forever.
Gave up using disposable cups for takeaway coffee. Without exception.
Gave up buying plastic water bottles, using recycled drink containers instead.
Went screen free once a week (even just no TV)
Only bought a newspaper once a week
Planted a tree
Started their own vegie patch or herb garden

Its easy to imagine the impact...

Less livestock needed to graze and grow to feed an ever wealthier, meat eating population
Less landfill, less energy used to manufacture bags, cups and bottles and to then recycle them
Less energy used, conserving our finite resources
Less trees cut down to make papers, less tabloid trash cramping our minds
More fresh air
... and that's just the obvious impacts, let alone the flow on effects... mind blowing!

This is the inspiration for my "Project 365".

Since April 1, every day I have been choosing a small, micro change to the way I inhabit the planet, including the ones listed above. I'm sharing it through Facebook & this blog, to encourage others to do the same and to help hold myself accountable to see the project through.

It's a mixture of Random Acts of Kindness, a Bucket List, and a mission to save the planet.

Here's what's coming up:

Live Below the Line for just 1 day (that means living on less than $2)
Cook an entire meal from locally sourced produce (3 courses)
Spend a week shopping exclusively local (no supermarkets, shopping centres or national chains of stores)
Buy an entire outfit of recycled clothes and wear them to a social outing
Start a community garden
Have lunch with a stranger
Get through as much of Autumn and Winter as possible without turning the heater on

My ultimate aim?

That as Project 365 draws to a close in March 2013, 365 people will have pledged to do one small thing (of their choosing) for one whole day to change the world on March 31, the final day of the project.

For me, that's my ultimate positive impact on the world I live in.

When April 1, 2014 rolls around, perhaps my world won't be noticeably different. Perhaps 365 micro steps won't really have made a giant leap forward at all.

But maybe it will.

It's a chance I'm willing to take.

How about you? Will you join me?

Be one of the first to pledge changing the world for one day on March 31 2013, email me your details: belinda@eventshunter.com.au