We at Powerful Youth believe that all youth have the leadership potential to create profoundly positive change in their communities, and together, global change. But please do not let this intimidate you or make you think that you need to have a lot of time, energy, or money to create change! Teens can make a difference in the world without even leaving home, and here are five ideas on how to do just that.
1. Spread awareness via social media
More and more people are getting their news online and turning to social media to learn more about the global issues facing the world. Young activists are finding a platform on social media, quickly sharing information and starting conversations within their audiences. You can spread awareness online too! Follow news and informative accounts, activists, and experts focusing on the issues that you feel passionate about, or charities benefitting different causes, and share their content. Or even better, create your own content! You can use free services like Canva to easily create Instagram posts and slideshows, or simply share information via TikTok and hope it hits the For You page! Regardless of whether you share the content of others or make your own, ALWAYS check your sources before sharing!
2. Contact your local government representative
Do not underestimate the power you have as a constituent! Consider the local and national issues you care about, find your local representatives and send them an email, write a letter, or call them about the issues you care about most. Here are a few tips for writing to a government official. If you want to take it a step further, encourage others to join you by sharing a template of what they can write, or a list of talking points for a phone call. If a government representative knows their constituents (and future lifelong voters!) really care about an issue and are holding them accountable, they are more likely to take it seriously.
3. Make your home more environmentally-friendly
You can reduce your impact on the environment with small changes in your home that you can do right now! Did you know that 90% of the energy required by a washing machine is used to heat the water? Easy changes like washing clothes and dishes with cold water and drying clothes on a rack or line instead of a dryer machine will reduce your energy bill and make your household chores gentler on the environment. You can easily reduce food waste by saving vegetable and meat scraps in a container kept in the freezer, and making soup or stock with it when full. By offering clothing or items you no longer use on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, you not only avoid the landfill, but help someone avoid purchasing an item made with new materials. There are lots of small changes you can make today, and they add up!
