Stop Waiting, Start Acting: It's time to find your people and the joy in taking collective action
Yesterday (May 19) was Earth Overshoot Day in the UK. In short, if everyone on Earth lived like we do in Britain, we'd have already exhausted all the natural resources our planet can regenerate in an entire year - and we're only in May.
But hold up - this isn't just another doom-and-gloom statistic. For me, it's an invitation to create meaningful change. While it's easy to feel powerless against such enormous challenges, I've discovered something beautiful: when we take local, regenerative action together, we not only reduce our ecological footprint - we find community, purpose, and joy.
The most meaningful change you can make isn't waiting for politicians or big business (although, of course, that would be nice)—it's happening right now in communities across the UK, and now is your time to join in and take ACTion.
Here are some examples:
Tentshare is building a lending marketplace for camping gear that works just like Airbnb but for tents. They're reducing waste, building community, and making nature accessible to all while keeping 1000's of tents out of landfill.The Edinburgh Tool Library (Charity Reg - SC045162) allows people to borrow everyday items rather than buying them. With affordable access to tools and equipment, they're reducing consumption while bringing communities in Edinburgh together.
Re-Action Collective brings together outdoor businesses committed to circular models, extending the life of gear through repair, reuse, and sharing.@vickybalfour runs Vicky Bikes and teaches "Mindful Mechanics," helping people overcome fears about fixing their own bicycles. These workshops build confidence, extend the life of bikes, and create community around sustainable transport.
Isabel Mack runs The Party Kit Network, which supports locally run boxes of reusable tableware and decorations that are lent within the community for events and returned to be used again.
What strikes me most about these initiatives isn't just their environmental impact - it's the community they create. People discover their tribes, build meaningful connections, and experience the deep satisfaction of creating positive change together.
When we shift from passive consumers to active Citizens, something remarkable happens. We reclaim our agency. We discover that we can take joyful action beyond just choosing who we vote for or how we 'buy better'.
Yes, Earth Overshoot Day is sobering, but it also offers perspective. Every day beyond May 20th is a day we're borrowing from future generations. So let's use that borrowed time wisely—not in despair but in creative, joyful ACTion.
What regenerative initiatives are happening in your community?
Add them 👇🏽 And if you're not yet involved, what's one small step you will take today toward more regenerative living?
