Changing the World

I would like to share the idea that it is easy to make small changes in your lifestyle that will positively impact the environment. I want people to know that they can make simple changes in their habits that can make a big difference. I also want to show people how easily one small change can morph into bigger changes that might be more easily seen at a faster rate. There are so many different ways I can communicate this message it is hard to talk specifically about a few, but if I were to do this right now I would approach it as I would marketing a brand. I would want to use multiple different types of writing and incorporate other types of media to grab attention and most effectively communicate my ideas to my audience.

Now that everyone is using the phrase “going green” it seems to be losing its meaning. Also, it is beginning to imply that it takes a complete 180-degree change in habits to “go green” and be “eco-friendly”. I want to tell people that every little effort helps and I want to get the message out that small steps can make a big difference. I also want to tell people about changes that are really easy to make, so that more people will begin thinking about their choices a little more.  

To communicate easy ways to become more environmentally friendly I could do research and write a scholarly document. It would detail the facts behind some of the environmental issues and how reducing the use of resources could help with environmental efforts. This could be followed up by posters and flyers and more advertising-type documents that would have much more concise information. For example, I could make flyers with a bulleted list of the easiest ways to conserve energy, like turning off lights and unplugging unused electronics. These types of documents would definitely have a design element incorporated so that it would catch people’s attention.

Hopefully sharing my ideas would prompt people to take time to consider their decisions and the impact they have on the environment. For example, I’d love for someone who read one of my documents to go out and buy reusable grocery bags and use those when they shop. Even if it is just one person making one small change, I feel it is making a difference.

There are so many different types of writing that it can be used to share almost any type of idea. Plus, once you incorporate design elements or multi-media the coverage expands exponentially. Writing is a form of mass communication and should be utilized as such. To actually change the world the writing has to be outstanding and persuasive. Writing to change the world sounds a little less daunting when you consider that to change the world you have to start somewhere; probably small-scale, and then grow. The type of writing I have outlined would focus on starting small and hopefully be able to snowball into a larger movement.