Yesterday, I found myself grappling with an important point I struggled to articulate with my siblings, and I want to take another shot at expressing it here. This isn’t about convincing anyone of my personal convictions but rather about exploring an idea that feels critical to our collective future.
Like many of you, I recycle, cut back on meat, drive less, and do a myriad of small but meaningful things to minimize my environmental impact. These actions are positive, admirable, and worth continuing—not just for the planet but also for the values they instill in ourselves and future generations. However, I’ve been reflecting on whether these actions are enough, and I believe they’re not. Worse, they may even lull us into a false sense of security.
The Danger of “Moral Licensing”
You’ve likely heard of the (debunked but illustrative) story about frogs in hot water. Throw a frog into boiling water, and it jumps out immediately. Put it in cool water and slowly raise the temperature, and it stays put until it’s too late. This, to me, is an apt metaphor for the mindset of moral licensing.
Moral licensing is the phenomenon where doing something good reduces our motivation to do more. We recycle, reduce, and reuse—and feel good about it—but this satisfaction can lead to complacency. We begin to believe that these small actions are sufficient when, in reality, they’re merely the beginning.
To be clear, this isn’t about pointing fingers at anyone. It’s not about me, you, or even our individual habits. It’s about a broader cultural narrative: the belief that individual actions alone can solve a global crisis. While well-intentioned, this mindset risks undermining the urgency and scale of the collective action we desperately need.
Why Systemic Change Is Essential
The reality is stark: the challenges we face are on a scale far beyond what personal habits can address. For example, while recycling saves a small but meaningful amount of CO2 each year, a single flight across the Atlantic emits 200 times more. Does this mean we should stop recycling? Of course not. But it does mean that recycling alone won’t move the needle.
What will? Systemic reform. We need massive shifts—stricter environmental policies, widespread adoption of renewable energy, corporate accountability, and international cooperation. These are the types of changes that can match the magnitude of the crisis.
A Call to Pair Action with Advocacy
For those of us committed to making a difference, it’s time to re-frame the question from What can I do? to What can we do together? Personal habits are important, but they should be paired with advocacy for systemic reforms. This could mean supporting policies that prioritize sustainability, calling on leaders to take bold action, and pushing for technological innovations that could make a real impact.
Imagine a 20:1 ratio: for every positive action we take in our daily lives, we match it with 20 advocacy efforts. Recycle a bottle? Write to 20 congresswomen. Skip a car trip? Join 20 petitions for renewable energy funding. Yeah, right, who’s going to do that? And really, that’s my point. It’s not feasible to ask that much of anyone; and therefore disaster is lurking in the shadows. We are not accepting the inevitable because we don’t see the practical means by which we can combat it. It’s not a fair fight, so we dismiss it.
Betting on Technology
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: even with our best efforts, systemic change isn’t happening fast enough. As humans, we have this need to feel the pain before we react with the swiftness and intention that is needed. That’s why I believe technology will have to play a central role in saving us. From breakthroughs in renewable energy to innovations in carbon capture, technological solutions hold immense potential. But betting on technology is risky—it requires not only investment but also the political will to implement these solutions at scale.
The Hard Truth and a Path Forward
The scariest part? Many of us—myself included—are deeply invested in doing our part. But the danger lies in the comfort these efforts provide. They can obscure the fact that the problem is far bigger than individual action.
I don’t think a lot of people will agree with my point of view, especially people who are working hard to do their part — and that scares me the most.
#ClimateAction #SystemicChange #SustainabilityMatters #EnvironmentalAdvocacy #FutureOfOurPlanet #InnovationForChange
