Why Climate Activism Feels Boring - And How to Make Climate Change Activities Feel Empowering

The Perpetual Presence of Climate Change in Media

Climate change. Climate action. Climate activism. These terms seem perpetually present in modern media. I almost certainly spot an article about climate change every time I read the newspaper. There are messages, warnings, calls to action everywhere we look. Why then, do we fail to act in the required manner? Why do we find climate action so ‘boring’?

The Paradox of Climate Activism: Urgency vs. Action

On social media, activism is full of momentum – striking signs, trending hashtags, and viral speeches. The internet is obsessed with visible action. But that constitutes just a small part of what truly impactful change is. Truly impactful change is rarely, if at all, flashy. Nobody goes viral for composting correctly. Or for refusing a fast-food straw. Or for lobbying their school to recycle paper. These things don’t trend, but they move the needle.

Why Small Climate Change Activities Feel Powerless

More importantly, The planet is warming. Sea levels are rising. We’re told we have X years to act. And yet, our action today is... skipping a straw? We’re told climate change is urgent and catastrophic. We’re told that it's now or never to save the planet. But the things we’re doing feel small. They feel delayed. They feel invisible. This disconnect between the scale of the crisis and the scale of our actions can be frustrating. It's not boredom that discourages us from acting – its climate grief, disguised as disinterest.

How then, can we make climate action ‘not boring’?

Making Climate Activism Engaging: 4 Approaches

1. Localize the Scope of Climate Activism

Rather than ‘saving the world’, let’s try and save our corner of it. Let’s start with our classrooms, our school cafeteria, our social circle. That’s where our impact is loudest.

2. Blend Passion with Purpose in Your Climate Change Activities

What if we incorporate sustainability into our areas of interest? If you love fashion, find innovative ways through which you can maximize style while minimizing environmental emissions. If you love cars (like me), read up on the benefits of hybrids and EVs (not only for the environment, but in terms of performance as well!), and advocate for their adoption. When sustainable action overlaps with what you love, it stops feeling like a chore.

3. Gamify the Routine to Stay Motivated

Upcoming apps like Klim8 are designed to make change feel rewarding with points, goals, and leaderboards. Track what you’re doing and celebrate progress, even if it's not world-shattering.

4. Build or Join a Climate Action Community

It’s much easier to stay motivated when you’re not alone. Dare your friends to take up a sustainable challenge. Join a climate club. Become a member of a climate change community.

Every Action Counts in the Fight for Our Planet

As students, climate change is something we hear about every day. So much so that we think that it's a problem beyond our control. But it isn’t. As unbelievable as it sounds, the little steps, the little actions, repeated consistently over a long period of time, are what truly make the difference.

In a world that’s addicted to dopamine and instant results, long-term work often feels underwhelming – but it's the only kind that lasts.

Keep showing up. The planet notices, even if no one else does yet. We’re with you every step of the way 💪.