Everyone talks about making a difference about global warming or changes in society, yet many do not know how.

I have a few random thoughts on this.

It was Anita Roddick of the Body Shop epitomised this when she said: “If you think you are too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito.”

Years ago I saw a movie of Leo Buscaglia which said “Only you can make the difference”.

So here is how you can make a difference.

We all have the power to change the world. In fact, even the smallest changes we make can have a large effect on our environment and global community. From the products we buy to the foods we eat to the activities we engage in, our actions create a ripple effect. And when enough people make enough ripples, a wave is born and a sea change occurs. (For those who believe in chaos theory as well)

I particularly would like to single out something I read on Greenpeace’s website about 7 years ago. It said Make Some Noise!

It stated: “Voice your opinion on social and environmental matters-by writing to companies that are doing the right or wrong things, speaking at local public hearings, voting in every election, weighing in on key legislation, and writing letters to the editor of your local paper.

These and other actions help keep your neighbours informed and let government and company officials know you’re paying attention to the decisions they make”.

We should use our voices, our emails, websites, networks, blogs and other tools of interaction to make a difference.

This story may add to your understanding of this concept.

A farmer came into town and asked the owner of a restaurant if he could use a million frog legs. The restaurant owner was shocked and asked the man where he could get so many frog legs! The farmer replied, “There is a pond near my house that is full of frogs—millions of them. They all croak all night long and they are about to make me crazy!”

So the restaurant owner and the farmer made an agreement that the farmer would deliver frogs to the restaurant, five hundred at a time for the next several weeks.

The first week, the farmer returned to the restaurant looking rather sheepish, with two scrawny little frogs. The restaurant owner said, “Well… where are all the frogs?”

The farmer said, “I was mistaken. There were only these two frogs in the pond. But they sure were making a lot of noise!”

Next time you wonder how to make a difference, why not become a noisy frog. Eventually someone will listen!

Today the tools exist to make noise…..breaking down walls of traditional thinking about societal issues.

P.S. One of the most interesting sites I have come across on sustainability and the link between waste and consumerism, is the website – Story of Stuff. I highly recommend this site to all my delegates on my courses.

Want to teach your kids about waste, economics and environmental issues? Then, this site is a must visit.