When my colleagues and I talk to Green America members, whether they started their green journeys last year or 30 years ago, we see a pattern: times of transition lead to new ways of thinking. And that’s when people often adopt greener ways of living, by taking eco-friendly and socially just actions. When someone discovers a new food sensitivity, their research may lead them to more organic and local food. When a family welcomes a new baby, they might start to learn about toxic chemicals in their home. When local, state, or national governments are out of step with addressing climate, environment, and social justice crises, it draws people to take action and create policies that work for people and the planet. 

The editorial team has dedicated this issue to those moments of transition. In this time like no other, it seems like those moments are coming faster and faster. So whatever changes you are contemplating, we hope you find lots of ideas for your own green journey as you turn these pages.
We encourage you to start where you are—if you’ve been getting greener over the decades, push yourself in a direction that’s calling to you. If you’re brand new to greening your life, follow your passions and interests—it’s a journey of a lifetime, and easy to get overwhelmed if you try to take it all on in a month or even a year. We all have important choices to make. 

When we vote with our dollars, it shows companies, our social circles, and even policymakers what we find important. While we cannot buy our way out of the climate crisis or systemic injustice, our choices matter as we push corporations, governments, and other systems to be better. 

We can also lift our voices together as communities to make important change in local and national policies. Even when we’re not in an election year, keep up the conversation with your local politicians and regulators when you see injustice. Add your representatives’ phone numbers to your contacts list and visit greenamerica.org/signup to receive our email newsletter and regular notice of Green America’s powerful consumer actions.

Collaboration between individuals, families, communities, local businesses, corporations, and governments is necessary to make the big system changes—such as anti-racism, renewable energy, regenerative agriculture—that none of us can do alone. 

The pandemic has forced us to consider how our lives could better align with our values. Are we spending our time, money, and energy to create the best version of the world? This intentionality brought many green changes, and if we hold onto that mindset, can bring many more. 

In this time of tremendous change, let’s harness the intentionality of transition to find greener ways of living that make our homes, communities, and the world itself safer, healthier, and more just.