How many of us have a trail of failed resolutions in our wake? Perhaps we got overexcited when we signed up for that marathon or paid for a year’s gym membership up front. Perhaps we forgot that the things that truly matter are love, compassion, caring for others, and protecting all that is beautiful in our world. So this year, we invite you to ditch any doomed-to-fail resolutions, and instead consider our top nine picks for animals and the planet.
Adopt Your New Best Friend
If there is space in your heart and home, why not consider adopting an animal from a shelter. In this one act, we are not giving something truly wonderful, we get something even better back in return. Animals bring joy and love to a home, even those who need a little more care to get over their past. So, if you can commit the time, funds, and energy, please consider adopting. For those without the time or space you might consider sponsoring an animal in a shelter instead. Many sanctuaries offer sponsorships, and you get the pleasure of knowing you are helping an animal without the full-time care requirements. You may even be able to visit them!
Switch to Plant-Based Milk
Probably the simplest food swap with the biggest impact is to switch from cows’ milk to a plant-based alternative, such as soy, oat, cashew, hazelnut, rice, hemp, or almond milk.
This one switch has a profound effect on animals, the environment, and maybe our own health, too. This is because cows are harmed and killed for dairy milk, plus milk is one of the most damaging foods both for the climate and in terms of water pollution. Since the majority of the human population is lactose intolerant, switching to a plant-based milk can make a world of difference to our digestive health and comfort. For all these reasons, switching to plant-based milks is a no-brainer!
A Pledge for Healthy Oceans
An impressive 96% of Americans consider plastics and litter in the ocean or on the beach to be a major threat, while 87% consider the loss of fish and other marine wildlife a major threat. It seems we all care about the ocean! And the single biggest thing we can do to protect the ocean and prevent plastic ending up in it is to stop eating fish. Not only is the fishing industry the
largest contributor of oceanic plastic pollution, but its indiscriminate methods decimate aquatic populations. We can get all the nutrients we need, including omega-3, from plant-based sources, so there is no need to support this damaging industry any longer.
Volunteer
We may feel anxiety when we consider world events, and a sense of powerlessness can feel inevitable. But we can all contribute to a better world through volunteering within our community. And there is something to suit everyone, from taking care of animals at a rescue centre to giving some time to a community garden. Those who already volunteer will know the secret: when we donate our time and attention, we receive a lot more back in friendship, community, hope, and a sense that there is much we can do to change this world for the better.
Commit to a Litter Pick
Whether we join a dedicated event or just pick up dropped litter when we see it, we can all make our communities safer and more welcoming. Those who live on the coast can find—or perhaps even create—beach clean events, which gets us out into fresh air, helps us meet likeminded people, and gives us a sense of accomplishment, all while protecting aquatic species from human-discarded detritus.
Share a Meal
Food is a necessity of course but it is much more than that. It ties us to our cultures and traditions, gives us a sense of belonging, and brings us immense pleasure. One wonderful gift we can give is to share a plant-based meal with someone else, perhaps a neighbor who lives alone or a family who has just moved to the area. Breaking bread with others strengthens community ties and enhances our lives beyond measure, and we also get to showcase how delicious plant-based foods can be. If the idea of cooking for others fills you with dread, why not volunteer at a food bank or community kitchen instead or donate plant-based foods to those in need.
Share an Issues-Based Film Each Month
We each use our social media for different purposes, maybe to showcase our baking, share photos of our families, or to inflict some bad jokes on our friends. Most of us have space within our feeds to share something positive or inspiring that could help gently educate or motivate others. Charities regularly share amazing films on their own channels, so keep an eye out for any that move you and share one (or more) each month. Some of our favorites include Greenpeace’s There’s a Monster in My Kitchen, GenV’s Sanctuary, Four Reasons Why Women are More Impacted by Climate Change, and Plastic Change International’s Fin City.
Keep on Learning
There is no limit to learning! Why not commit to reading one book this year that will better inform you about an important issue? Some of our favorite impactful, yet readable, books include Ultra Processed People by Dr. Chris van Tulleken, How Not to Die by Dr. Michael Greger, Regenesis by George Monbiot, Not the End of the World by Dr. Hannah Ritchie, The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg, and An Unnatural Order by Jim Mason.
Raise Others’ Voices and Experiences
This year why not commit to amplifying the voices of those living with the devastating impacts of climate breakdown and those who are most affected by the farming and slaughtering industrial complex… animals. You may already follow some intersectional or minoritized activists so why not introduce them to your own followers? Just a few you may like to follow and share include: Farm Sanctuary, Soul Eubanks, Genesis Butler, Dash Meizler, Xiuhtezcatl Tonatiuh, Sisu Refuge, Claire Nasike Akello, Gwenna Hunter, and Isaias Hernandez.
