Photo of two friends holding each other by the shoulders from behind, standing in an open field under a blue sky. Cover image for an article titled "Convince your friend to live more sustainably: 9 easy steps"

Convince your friend to live more sustainably: 9 easy steps

by Nasrin S. Maesha

Published on November 6, 2022

Ever felt that your friends or family don’t understand why you’re so concerned about sustainability? Have you tried talking to them about the importance of environmental issues but always fail to connect? It’s not an easy job to encourage your friends to change parts of their lifestyle, especially when they are unaware of the urgency of the climate crisis. Talking about sustainability can indeed be difficult and draining too with some people, but with a little patience and kindness, it’s possible. Here are some suggestions for encouraging your friends and loved ones to embrace sustainability, even if they do not immediately relate to it.

1. Be patient and positive

Photo of a white hand and a black hand holding each other in a gesture of unity and solidarity. Photo used for an article titled "Photo of a white hand and a black hand holding each other in a gesture of unity and solidarity"

Persuading people to change something about their lifestyle is not easy, and it works differently for everyone. Remember that this is a change for your friend and changes take time. So the process to get them onboard might get frustrating sometimes, but don’t let that dishearten you. Because while trying to get your friends on board to love the planet is not supposed to be an easy job, you’re still trying your best. And with a little patience, it’s possible and also extremely rewarding. Keep your mind open, be patient with them and also be positive.

2. Start small. Avoid giving them too much information at once

Photo of a girl wearing a t-shirt and jeans holding a hand mic and shouting at a boy also wearing a t-shirt and jeans who appears to be annoyed by the noise pollution.

Focus on their areas of interest (which will be different for every person), hear them out first, and give little information relevant to those areas and sustainability and/or climate change. Give them time to process that information and feel connected to what you are trying to make them realize and why that’s important.

3. Share simple and fun activities to start with

Photo of a hand reaching out from the top of a ladder towards a woman at the bottom of the ladder who is extending her hands to grab the hand that was reached out for her to climb up the ladder.

Introduce them to simple and fun activities that they can participate in within their areas of interest and make them understand how these small actions can have a huge impact and how they can be real changemakers by taking these small steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle every day. For instance, if they are into fashion, you could challenge them to style a dress in three to five different ways, if they are into gardening, maybe you could help them start growing their own herbs or fruits, and vegetables.

 

4. Use the power of Social Media

A hand holding a smartphone displaying various social media icons including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, and Telegram.

Educate your friends by raising awareness using the power of social media. Focus on sharing interesting, essential but light and relevant content to raise awareness. Share about how living sustainably has been so rewarding to you so far and how awesome it would be if people realized the fun in it. Let’s make sustainable living the new mainstream. 

5. Introduce them to Eco-friendly Products and Services

A girl sitting in front of glass pots, containers, potted plants, and a wooden brush stand is holding a smartphone in her right hand and showing it to the viewer. The screen of the phone has a green recycling sign on it, indicating a sustainable lifestyle. The girl is smiling in the photo, suggesting her support for environmental awareness.

Introducing your favorite eco-friendly products and services to your friend will help them get to know about eco-friendly alternatives (and learn how cool they are!). Also, this will help ethical eco-conscious businesses with the support and attention that they truly deserve.

6. Plan Eco-friendly Activities Together

Two girls on the beach, one picking up a plastic bottle and the other carrying a black trash bag to clean up litter.

Arrange clothing swap meets among your friends, do volunteering activities like beach cleanups and plogging together, and let your friendship find a life outside of your social media accounts!

7. Gift them Eco-friendly Products

Two women, one White and one Black, sit on a couch with white shirts, smiling and enjoying each other's company.

Birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays are the best times to give eco-friendly products to your friends as gifts. This will help them experience first-hand what it’s like to use sustainable products and see how convenient they are (and also eventually fall in love with them!)

8. Stay away from Eco-shaming

A black woman in a sleeveless white dress stands in front of a white wall with a large house plant partially visible in the background. She covers her eyes with her hands and smiles slightly.

Avoid eco-shaming at all costs in your attempt to convince them. This not only will fail as a strategy to convince them to live more sustainably but will also negatively affect your friendship. Keep your mind open and respect their opinions too.

9. Appreciate and Celebrate

Five multi-racial friends wearing various types of jeans clothing, posing for the camera and making friendly hand gestures.

Appreciating and celebrating their small steps is a crucial part of the plan to get your friend to live more sustainably. Always remember this – One who loves to live, will love our planet and always take care of it.

Wishing you good luck on your journey. Cheers!

 

About the author:

 

 

Nasrin S. Maesha

Nasrin S. Maesha

Author

Maesha is a climate journalist, a writer, and a social worker. She found her passion in writing for positive impact, specifically for the planet after having been actively involved in the development sector for over 6 years.She is an official member of Creatives For Climate and a Global Ambassador at Slow Fashion Movement.

 

About the author:

 

 

Nasrin S. Maesha

Nasrin S. Maesha

Edit this for each person

Maesha is a climate journalist, a writer, and a social worker. She found her passion in writing for positive impact, specifically for the planet after having been actively involved in the development sector for over 6 years.She is an official member of Creatives For Climate and a Global Ambassador at Slow Fashion Movement.

 

About the author:

 

 

Nasrin S. Maesha

Nasrin S. Maesha

Author

Maesha is a climate journalist, a writer, and a social worker. She found her passion in writing for positive impact, specifically for the planet after having been actively involved in the development sector for over 6 years.She is an official member of Creatives For Climate and a Global Ambassador at Slow Fashion Movement.

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