How Can I Think of the Planet When I Can't Even Afford Rent?

How can we talk about climate action when so many people are struggling just to get by? Why do the people least responsible for climate change often suffer the most from it? 

When paying the rent, finding a decent job, or putting food on the table are on the top of your concerns, climate change seems to be something for somebody else to solve. This is what we explore in the new episode of SystemShift, where Carl Schlyter and Joycelyn Longdon are joined by Nala Amirah, climate activist and founder of Green Welfare Indonesia.

From rising rents to polluted neighbourhoods, they explain how low-income and marginalised communities often have no choice but to live in polluted areas that are at high risk from climate change—while those in power do little to fix the problem. But change is possible. Nala shares how community-led action, sustainable housing, and climate education are already making a difference—and why real solutions must come from the people most affected.

As we wrap up this series, this episode asks: Do I have to worry about the end of the month or the end of the world?

What can you do?

It’s easy to feel like you’re not “doing enough” for the planet. But if you’re making any effort—however small—you’re already part of the solution. Here are some concrete things you can do:

• Ask governments to put wellbeing at the centre by signing the 'Wellbeing for All' petition: https://www.greenpeace.org/international/act/wellbeing-for-all/
• Urge governments to #TaxTheSuperRich now: http://greenpeace.org/international/act/tax-the-super-rich
• Check out your area and attend a community event or initiative. Chat with your neighbours and support local businesses.
• Consider volunteering for a cause you care about in a local group or organisation. It could be Greenpeace or any other you like!
• Maybe you can’t or are not able to do any of this. In that case, remember this words from Sarah Marques, a community leader from Recife, Brazil: “Our contribution is to live, to resist”.

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