Sometimes, simple steps can make the biggest changes. Making new decisions about the way you eat, the way you shop, the way you live and the way you think can help reduce your carbon footprint and the suffering of others. Shopping more ethically by ensuring the product was not tested on animals and did not involve the exploitation of humans can give you a clearer conscience. Changing the way you think by exploring alternative political ideas will expose you to the sheer scale of corruption that is a defining factor in many governments. When researching new ideas, it is important to consider the arguments on both sides so you can form your own conclusions. Below are some ways to take action for animals, the climate, politics and human rights.

- Switch to a vegetarian or vegan diet.

- Encourage others to be more compassionate.

- Never buy fur, leather or exotic skins and persuade others to do the same.

- Buy products that do not contain any animal ingredients or animal by-products.

- Don't support animal testing companies or charities.

- Support ethical companies and charities that do not exploit animals.

- Hand out leaflets and spread awareness of animal cruelty.

- Create petitions online and offline.

- Post links to videos, websites and images of animal cruelty on social networking sites.

- Set up a blog or website to raise awareness of animal related issues.

- Challenge traditional ideas, many animal exploiters often excuse their actions
  by claiming it is ‘tradition’.

- Cut down on car use, walk more or use public transport.

- Recycle as much as you possibly can.

- Try to buy products that are rainforest friendly and recyclable.

- Cut down on your meat consumption, even for just one day a week, or
  become a vegetarian/vegan.

- Organise events in schools and workplaces to highlight the issues of climate change.

- Turn off electrical appliances when not in use.

- Lobby Senators, Representatives and Members of Parliament about being
  more eco-friendly.

- Buy more local produce to save air miles.

- Fill your dishwasher and washing machine with full loads.

- Replace old and ailing appliances with more energy efficient ones.

- Plant a tree to improve the environment around you and to soak up carbon dioxide.

- Take old carrier bags or a cotton bag to the supermarket to reduce the
  number of plastic bags you use.

- Use a reusable water bottle as opposed to continuously buying plastic bottles.

- Upgrade your light bulbs to more energy efficient ones.

- Raise awareness of the alternatives out there.

- Avoid mainstream media as some news agencies present a biased account of the
  world.

- Enhance your own understanding of political movements.

- Join and support less mainstream political parties.

- Support alternative and more liberal politicians and political parties.

- Campaign against unfair government decisions and push for equality.

- Push for change via petitions, speaking up for what you believe in and raise
  awareness of government unfairness.

- If you are an American citizen, read your constitution and learn about your rights.

- Know your own human rights by reading the Universal Declaration of Human
  Rights and familiarising yourself with it.

- Buy fairtrade and ethical products that do not involve slave labour of children
  and adults.

- Avoid supporting companies that exploit humans or companies that fund
  military regimes.

- Challenge those that abuse human rights, by sending them letters, creating
  petitions or emailing them.

- Post links to petitions, campaigns, human rights information and let people
  know which companies exploit humans.

- Send letters to political prisoners or individuals who have been locked away
  for standing up to authority and for campaigning for democracy.

- Organise action in your community, by holding events like stalls, group
  meetings and dinner parties.

- Hold a human rights film showing and encourage, friends, family and
  community members to attend and learn about human rights abuses.

- Volunteer in charity stores to help improve the lives of others.

Image by NASA

Image by Derek Jensen