Caring for the Planet in a Judgment-Free Way

Back in 2018, Blue Planet II aired haunting footage: an albatross feeding its chick shards of plastic, a dolphin calf exposed to toxins through its mother’s milk. Like many of you, I sat watching, horrified — maybe even with tears in my eyes.

Then, I did what so many of us do: walked to my energy-hungry fridge, grabbed a drink, unwrapped a snack from plastic packaging, and probably muttered a four-letter word beginning with S… or F.

A few years before that, we watched the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal unfold, disgusted. And the next day? Most of us still drove our diesel cars to work.

You know the science. You’ve seen the headlines. And you also know what’s in your fridge, and on your driveway. You're not a hypocrite — you're human.

And here’s the thing: worrying about being seen as “not pure enough” on the climate front helps no one.

We are emotional beings — just scroll any social media feed. In our hyper-connected world, voices that once went unheard now find expression online. But in the race to call out “climate hypocrisy,” especially on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), we lose sight of the real issue.

This Isn’t Just About You. It’s a System.

Fossil fuels have been embedded in our lives for over 150 years — since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. They power our homes, fuel our transport, grow and ship our food, and even make the toothbrushes we use every morning.

Blaming individuals for not living perfectly sustainable lives misses the forest for the trees.

No single person — not Jade from Leicester (don’t worry, she’s fictional) — can carry the weight of systemic change alone. If we insist on flawless environmental credentials before allowing someone to care or act, we alienate nearly everyone. Including, at times, ourselves.

I’ve probably got another 80 years left on this planet (hopefully). And while I enjoy the new British “summer” temperatures reaching 30°C, the distinct lack of air conditioning in most places suggests it’s not meant to be this hot here.

I care about the planet. I know reducing meat intake is one of the most effective personal changes we can make for the climate. I also happen to be a fussy eater. Spending months gagging on new foods to “learn” to like them isn’t a journey I’m ready for yet.

I do recycle all my drink cans. Okay — most of them. One slips through the net now and then.

My family drives a diesel car. It’s how we get the weekly shop home. But when it’s just a quick errand or a visit to the park a kilometre away? I walk.

I also know that tumble dryers are incredibly energy-intensive. But when doing large, back-to-back laundry loads, it’s all too easy to just throw them in. I try to balance that out by buying only a few essential clothing items per year.

I could keep going. The point is: you’re not alone.

Small Actions Still Matter

When everything — from building homes to growing food to getting from A to B — contributes to carbon emissions, no single solution will be enough.

We need bold innovation, wide-scale change, and yes — thousands of small, imperfect steps.

Buying an electric car or cutting down on flights won’t save the planet on its own. But every reduction in emissions, from anyone, helps.

Driving less still helps — even if you eat meat. Skipping fast fashion helps — even if you sometimes use a tumble dryer.

There’s Power in Progress — and Community

Have you heard of Strava? It’s a fitness app where users log their runs, rides, and walks, sharing progress with friends and encouraging each other.

Now imagine that, but for climate action.

That’s the idea behind The Climate App, which is currently in its crowdfunding phase. It lets users calculate their carbon footprint, set goals (like reducing driving or meat consumption), and track their progress. Better still, you can share your journey and see how your circle is reducing emissions collectively.

It’s a smart, community-driven way to make climate action visible — and motivating.

Yes, this is The Climate App’s blog, so this might feel like a plug. But when the crisis we’re facing is systemic, tools that help unpick the system matter. And if what works for health and fitness can help us stay motivated on climate, I say: bring it on.

Help Make This a Reality

The Climate App is still in its crowdfunding stage. If you believe in practical tools to fight climate change — and the power of collective action — now’s the time to get involved. Support the campaign on Indiegogo and help turn this vision into a tool for real change.

Because even small actions — especially when multiplied — add up.