Feeling down about the news? Do This.
52 practical actions inspired by the past year’s headlines
Two years ago, Today Do This published its first ‘do-something-about-the-news letter’. It was an antidote to the barrage of negative headlines; a way to spotlight people doing good, and a tool to inspire more of us to follow their lead.
Every Friday since, we’ve picked a recent news story and shared one simple thing you can do that day to make a difference. Readers say it makes them feel less victim to the troubles of the world and more confident to create change. Which is exactly the change we want to create…
For too long, we’ve all been led to believe that we, as individuals, can’t do anything about the state of the world. We’re too small, too inexperienced, too ignorant of the situation, too lacking in talent or connections or influence. We don’t buy that.
Each and every one of us — through our actions, or inaction — bears some responsibility for making the world how it is. And it’s our small individual actions today that create big collective change tomorrow.
Over the past year, the link between individual action and collective change was particularly hard to miss. School kids affected government climate policy. Workers pressed companies take a stand on racial injustice. Voters challenged threats to democracy. And the choices we each made on whether to wash our hands and wear a mask influenced the ebbs and flows of a global pandemic.
It just goes to show, you can make real change. Yes, you. And so, today, we’re sharing the news stories and practical actions featured in our weekly newsletter over the past year. Because there’s more we can all do to build a freer, fairer, more sustainable world.
Want more?
Subscribe to join thousands of people changing the world every week.
P.S. This is our second annual round-up. See the first here.
Contents:
1. Protect the planet 🌍
2. Confront discrimination ✊
3. Defend democracy 🗳
4. Improve your community 🏘
5. Respond to disasters 🆘
6. Do something for yourself 😊
🌍
Push for climate action ✍️
A French court saw a landmark case accusing the government of not doing enough to tackle climate change. Brought by Greenpeace France and Oxfam France, the case was backed by a petition signed by more than two million people — a French record. Across the ocean, spurred by the growing Sunrise Movement, the US pledged to cut its emissions in half by 2030.
What can you do?
Sign (or start!) a petition urging your government to do more about the climate crisis. These are the petitions circulating in the UK, US and Australia.
Promote nuclear disarmament ☢️
As part of a foreign policy overhaul, the UK plans to increase its stockpile of nuclear warheads. This runs counter to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, brought about by the Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign for Abolishment of Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
What can you do?
If you live in a country that maintains nuclear weapons, promote disarmament. Here’s a template letter and social media posts to direct at your government.
Beat the heat 🥵
In 2020, the UK experienced its warmest day in August for 17 years, just two weeks after its third-hottest day on record. Studies by scientists at the World Weather Attribution initiative (WWA) show that climate change is exacerbating these heatwaves, making them longer and more severe.
What can you do?
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis slipped somewhat from the headlines — but it hasn’t gone away. Stay informed by subscribing to a climate newsletter. The New Yorker, Quartz and Bloomberg offer free weekly updates straight to your inbox.
Save the dolphins 🐬
France introduced a gradual ban on the use of wild animals in circuses and marine parks. Meanwhile, San Francisco-based Edge Innovations invented a robotic dolphin that’s almost identical to the real thing.
What can you do?
Watch and share this video from Born Free comparing animals in captivity with our own experiences of pandemic lockdown. It’s part of the Creature Discomfort campaign to improve the welfare of all captive animals.
Save the planet 🌳
Amid historic wildfires and floods in the US, The New York Times published some sobering news: climate disasters will only get worse for the next generation. In Manhattan, the Climate Clock counts down the time we have left before the effects of climate change become irreversible.
What can you do?
Download the podcast “How to Save a Planet”. Hosted by Alex Blumberg and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, every episode includes actions we can all take to address the climate crisis.
Protect the night sky ️✨
The British charity CPRE reported an increase in the number of stars visible in the night sky — likely an unintended positive consequence of lockdown. But globally, artificial illumination is growing by 2% each year, disrupting ecosystems and wildlife migration, increasing insomnia and other human health problems, and wasting energy. That’s why the International Dark-Sky Association is fighting light pollution.
What can you do?
Take a moment to gaze at the stars tonight. Download the SkyView Lite app (iOS | Android) to spot planets and constellations. And, if the spirit moves you, check out these ideas for protecting the night sky.
Eat Better 🍽
Food website Epicurious announced it would no longer publish recipes containing beef. It says the move was “not anti-beef but pro-planet”, noting almost 15% of greenhouse gases come from raising livestock, with 61% of that traceable to beef. Meat Free Monday encourages people to slow climate change by having at least one plant-based day each week.
What can you do?
Put a recurring reminder in your calendar to go meat free every Monday. Or, if you’re keen to start even sooner, make one of these recipes today.
Cherish your planet ️💚
NASA released an awe-inspiring video of its Perseverance rover landing on Mars. Maxence Abela, a 23-year-old computer science student in Paris, discovered that the seemingly random pattern on the rover’s parachute contained the secret message “Dare mighty things” in binary code.
What can you do?
Imagine how in awe you’d be as a Martian watching a landing on Earth — with all its colours, noise and life. Then dare to do one tiny mighty thing to care for this planet: here are a few ideas.
Speak up for Earth 📣
The Scottish Qualifications Authority removed climate change from the list of subjects that could appear in end-of-year exams. Campaigners argue this could deny students the chance to learn about a topic that defines their future. Enter Earth Speakr, which “invites kids to speak up for the planet, and adults to listen up to what they have to say.” It’s barmy and brilliant.
What can you do?
If you know anyone aged 7 to 17, get them to record a message on Earth Speakr. If not, explore the messages and share some online.
Have a green Christmas 🎁
British supermarket giant Tesco removed 20 million items of single-use plastic from its Christmas range. Grassroots campaign Mind The Wrap promotes the reuse of newspaper, fabric and other materials as an alternative to the millions of tonnes of wrapping paper thrown away each year.
What can you do?
As you buy and wrap gifts at Christmas, avoid anything you know will go to waste. Even better, get creative instead of getting stuff.
✊
Do something about racism ✊
A jury convicted Derek Chauvin of murdering George Floyd. Black lives matter.
What can you do?
Educate yourself. Educate your kids. Pressure politicians. Get comfortable confronting racist behaviour. Donate.
Work on LGBT+ rights 🏳️🌈
The US Supreme Court ruled it illegal for employers to discriminate against LGBT+ workers. Of course, this ruling doesn’t mean workplace discrimination will end overnight. With many startups too small to sustain their own LGBT+ groups, Series Q provides a supportive forum for LGBT+ people working in these businesses to connect and discuss workplace issues.
What can you do?
Follow this practical advice on how to be a better ally at work (or anywhere).
Stop violence against women 🙅♀️
On International Women’s Day, protests against gender violence broke out across Mexico where protesters wrote the names of thousands of women killed at the hands of men on a 10-foot metal barricade erected around the National Palace. In Paris, The “Gluers” use similar tactics, putting posters around the city to raise awareness of rape, sexual harassment and femicide.
What can you do?
It’s not enough for women to raise their voices. Men: talk to other men about women’s rights and safety when no women are around as an audience. Women: share this request with the men in your life.
Stop hate for profit 🤑
Hundreds of advertisers signed up to the Stop Hate for Profit campaign, withdrawing advertising from Facebook during July 2020 to force the social network to address the part it plays in promoting hate speech and other harmful content. Stop Hate for Profit is a broad coalition targeting racism, antisemitism and hate online.
What can you do?
Sign Stop Hate for Profit’s petition to send a consumer message to Facebook and advertisers. Or just stop using Facebook.
Start being a trans ally 🏳️⚧️
Elliot Page, who rose to fame in the starring role of Juno as Ellen Page, came out as transgender. “The more I hold myself close and fully embrace who I am, the more I dream, the more my heart grows and the more I thrive,” he wrote in a statement. Charlie Craggs, the founder of Nail Transphobia, travels the UK with her pop-up nail salon offering free manicures for the chance to chat with a trans person.
What can you do?
While most of us won’t have the pleasure of sitting down with Charlie, we can sit and watch this short video by trans activist Lauren Sundstrom. It’s a nice introduction to transgender terms — what to say, what not to say — and a good first step to becoming a better ally.
Elevate women 👩
In the US, one week after Kamala Harris became the first woman inaugurated as Vice President, Janet Yellen became the first woman confirmed as Treasury Secretary. The same day that senators approved Yellen’s nomination, the US Treasury revived plans to put abolitionist Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill.
What can you do?
We all — girls and boys, kids and grown ups — need women as role models. Browse these bite-size biographies of women who transformed America. Why not read one or two of them to someone you love?
Support Black artists 🖤
File this under ‘small wins in the fight for racial equality.’ Batwoman will be played by a Black actress for the first time ever, with Javicia Leslie cast as the lead in the American TV series. Led by a group of Black employees, Netflix has built a sizeable library of Black programming including a “Black Lives Matter” collection of 56 shows, films and documentaries about racial injustice.
What can you do?
Stream something made by Black artists — here’s a list to get you started. After the credits roll, read what it’s like to be a Black filmmaker in Hollywood.
Support people with hearing loss ️🦻
British MP Vicky Foxcroft used sign language to challenge Prime Minister Boris Johnson on a lack of in-person interpreting during government briefings. Frustrated by a lack of equal access to briefings about coronavirus in particular, Lynn Stewart-Taylor created the #WhereIsTheInterpreter campaign.
What can you do?
Of course, equal access goes beyond government briefings. Help normalise sign language by learning some yourself. There are hundreds of sign languages used around the world, and YouTube is full of guides to get you started, like these for British Sign Language and American Sign Language.
Make period poverty history 🩸
Scotland became the first country to make period products freely available to everyone, ensuring nobody in the country struggles to afford them. In 2019, Free Periods helped secure free access to period products for all schools and colleges in England. Bloody Good Period provides free menstrual supplies to asylum seekers, refugees & those who can’t afford them.
What can you do?
Write to your local representative and ask them to follow Scotland’s lead.
Strike for Black lives 📢
After police shot Jacob Blake in the back seven times, at point blank range, in front of his three children, professional basketball, baseball and soccer teams went on strike in protest.
What can you do?
Strike for black lives today, even if that means just blocking out 30 minutes in your work day to take action. Here’s a list of officials you can contact, petitions you can sign or donations you can make.
Support human rights ✊
Politicians in the UK and US called for a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics if the games are not relocated away from Beijing, a response to China’s continued human rights abuses against the Uyghur minority, citizens of Hong Kong and others. More than 180 human rights groups signed an open letter to world leaders demanding a boycott of the games.
What can you do?
Contact your local National Olympic Committee echoing the sentiments of the open letter linked above.
🗳
Protect democracy 🗽
On 6th January 2021, Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building in Washington DC in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the certification of Joe Biden as president. Common Cause, a “nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy” helped millions of voters during the election by combatting disinformation and voter suppression.
What can you do?
Sign this petition calling on the US senate to pass the For the People Act, an important step in protecting voter rights and holding elected officials to the highest ethical standards.
Deal with conspiracy theories 🍕
Before the election, US Vice President Mike Pence was due to attend a fundraiser hosted by supporters of QAnon, the conspiracy theory alleging that an influential group of Satan-worshipping paedophiles was plotting against Donald Trump. Seriously. (In the end, he backed out.) Filmmaker Kirby Ferguson produces “anti-conspiracy” films that examine how these wild ideas infiltrate society, and what we can do about it.
What can you do?
Debunking QAnon, and other wild theories, requires us to directly engage the believers while maintaining some empathy. Learn how to talk to conspiracy theorists — and still be kind.
Promote free speech 🤐
In Paris, 14 people were found guilty of aiding a deadly attack on the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The day before the trial, Charlie Hebdo republished the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad that prompted the 2015 attack.
What can you do?
Freedom of speech, the right to offend and the free exchange of ideas are hot topics, and not just in France. To explore two sides of the argument, read ‘A Letter on Justice and Open Debate’ published in Harper’s in July, and its rebuttal published by The Objective. Share the one you think makes the strongest argument.
Stop police brutality 🛑
George Floyd’s brother, Philonise, testified at a Congressional hearing on police brutality. Floyd’s killing sparked nationwide protests, at which many police responded with further use of excessive force. For years, initiatives like Campaign Zero, The Center for Policing Equity and Check the Police have promoted policies to end police violence and racial bias in America.
What can you do?
Policy brutality is not just an American problem: find out how your country stacks up. If you are in the US, sign this petition to end qualified immunity which shields officers from being held accountable for their actions.
Get out the vote 🗳
Voter turnout in the 2020 US presidential election reached an all-time high. Led by basketball star LeBron James, the More Than a Vote campaign recruited more than 40,000 poll workers, aided the push for basketball arenas to be converted into polling stations, and took on misinformation targeted at suppressing the Black vote.
What can you do?
Whether you’re an American voter or not, we all know someone who doesn’t see the point in voting — tell them this.
Vote by mail 📩
Amid the pandemic, mail-in voting in the US election broke records too. Early in the election cycle, the Brennan Center for Justice created a plan to expand early voting and vote-by-mail, as well as a petition calling on Congress to provide states with sufficient funding to run safe and secure elections.
What can you do?
There’s always an election around the corner, and mail-in ballots make voting easier. American voters: request a postal ballot here. British voters: click here. Everyone else: check your government’s website for options.
Stand with Hong Kong 🇭🇰
The US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand accused China of carrying out a “concerted campaign to silence all critical voices” following its removal of elected Hong Kong legislators. Stand with Hong Kong is a crowdfunded advocacy group practicing ‘grassroots diplomacy’ by calling on the international community to stand with Hong Kongers.
What can you do?
Stand with Hong Kong by contacting politicians and asking them “to implement sanctions on those responsible for the destruction of Hong Kong’s liberties.”
Stand with Belarus 🇧🇾
The European Union announced it does not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the legitimate president of Belarus, calling his re-election in August 2020 “fraudulent”. Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, now exiled in Lithuania, is believed to have won the election.
What can you do?
In 2021, Lukashenko remains president of Belarus. Add your name to this petition calling on the EU to do more to support a free Belarus.
Fight wealth inequality 💰
The combined wealth of America’s 657 billionaires grew by 44.6% ($1.3 trillion) during the pandemic, while more than 80 million people in the country lost their jobs. A similar trend is happening around the world. As the first pandemic wave peaked, software developer Matt Korostoff created a simple, sobering data visualisation that makes it easier to understand the extreme wealth inequality in the world today.
What can you do?
Share this data viz to grow awareness, shift public opinion and influence change. As Korostoff says, even doctors, lawyers and hedge fund managers “may see themselves as fabulously rich, and often oppose policies aimed at reducing inequality. But many have not fully grasped the enormous gulf between themselves and the super rich.”
🏘
Give something back 💰
In July 2020, Mackenzie Scott revealed she had donated more than $1.7 billion to charities since her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. This was part of Scott’s Giving Pledge, a “commitment by the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to giving back”.
What can you do?
If you’re not a billionaire, give what you can and ask your friends and family to help. One way to do this is to request donations to a favourite charity on your birthday (Just Giving & Facebook make it easy).
Support small businesses 💳
Small businesses were hit especially hard during the pandemic. In some cities, like the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, city streets and squares were turned into huge open-air cafés, giving bars and restaurants the opportunity to serve customers while maintaining social distancing measures.
What can you do?
If any of your favourite small, local businesses are open (either online or off), shop there. If they’re closed for the time being, see if you can buy a gift card to redeem when they reopen.
Make an elderly person’s day 👵
More likely to fall severely ill from Covid-19, the elderly are suffering from isolation as they try to avoid the virus, too. Cue one of the most high-profile heroes of the pandemic’s first wave: Captain Tom Moore. Before passing away in February 2021, the centenarian was knighted for raising millions of pounds for the UK’s National Health Service, and he launched a podcast called The Originals to inspire meaningful conversations with older people.
What can you do?
Call or write to an elderly person today — a parent or grandparent, neighbour or friend. Instead of talking about the weather, ask them for advice, or to tell you what they were up to when they were your age.
Give a young person hope 🙏
One in four British young people has been ‘unable to cope’ during the pandemic. The Prince’s Trust created a Coronavirus Support Hub to help young adults. As CEO Jonathan Townsend put it, “Many believe they are missing out on being young, and sadly we know that the impact of the pandemic on their employment prospects and overall wellbeing could continue far into their futures.”
What can you do?
Get in touch with a young person you know. See how they’re doing, offer whatever help or advice you can. Or just be there to listen.
Be a better colleague 💬
As lockdowns ease and economies start opening up, several office-based companies are letting workers stay home — a few indefinitely. While that’s good for public health, some executives see signs that working from home is leading to burnout and loneliness.
What can you do?
Socialising with coworkers is important for our well-being, creativity and career development. Invite a colleague, client, mentor or mentee for a virtual coffee with no agenda — just to say hi, check in and chat.
Tackle the hunger pandemic 🌽
At least 14 million people could go hungry in Latin America as the coronavirus continues crippling economies there. As India faced a similar threat, Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna began a relief effort distributing food to those in need.
What can you do?
No matter where you live, chances are people in your community are going hungry due to the pandemic. Donate to your local food bank. Many supermarkets have a drop-off point so you can work it into your regular shop.
Save the local bookshop 📚
Booksellers in England (unsuccessfully) asked the government to class bookshops as ‘essential retail’ and allow them to open during lockdowns. This followed similar calls in France as bookshops around the world struggled against a backdrop of restrictions and e-commerce. Bookshop.org makes it easy for readers to buy books online while supporting their local book store.
What can you do?
Buy a book for yourself or someone else (just don’t buy it from Amazon).
Get things fixed 🧰
In England and Wales alone, more than 1.7 million potholes were filled in 2020–2021. Chicago-based artist Jim Bachor creates public art by covering potholes with mosaics. This fixes the problem, draws attention to creaking infrastructure, and inspires others to fix things in the community.
What can you do?
Download FixMyStreet (UK) or SeeClickFix’s 311 app (US and beyond) and use your phone to easily report not just potholes, but dumped fridges, broken streetlights and much else to your local authority.
🆘
Beat Covid 💉
While the US and UK are on track to meet Covid-19 vaccination goals, the British prime minister warned: “There are people across the country who for one reason or another haven’t yet taken up their offer.” And a poll found that about 1 in 3 Americans say they won’t get vaccinated.
What can you do?
Find out when it will be your turn to get vaccinated by googling “when can I get the covid vaccine” and your location. Mention to friends and family why you’re looking forward to it. If you’ve already had the vaccine, encourage others to follow your lead.
Venture out carefully 😷
As countries start easing pandemic restrictions, governments are urging people to continue using face coverings. During the first lockdown, a 10 year-old in Birmingham, an 11 year-old in Lancaster, and a 12 year-old in Chichester made and sold face masks, donating the profits to local food banks and homelessness charities.
What can you do?
To avoid unnecessary waste, get yourself a reusable face covering or two, preferably from a seller supporting a charity (like these in the UK and US).
Talk about baby loss 🕯
British daytime TV show Loose Women received criticism over a discussion on pregnancy loss. Presenters described feeling “uncomfortable” at model Chrissy Teigen’s openness about her own experience in a social media post. Baby Loss Awareness Week highlights the isolation many people feel after baby loss, and encourages people to talk more openly about a subject often considered taboo.
What can you do?
One in four pregnancies in the UK ends in loss, and nobody should feel they have to face it alone for fear of offence. Help normalise conversation around baby loss. Share an article or a personal message in social media or in a group chat. You never know who might need to read it.
Help Yemen 🇾🇪
The UK cut financial aid to Yemen, continuing a global reduction in support for the country. Since 2014, Yemen has been devastated by conflict, with the UN labelling it “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.” But Ahmed, just nine years old and blind from birth, is reclaiming some hope at his bombed-out school in Taiz by stepping in when his teacher doesn’t make it to class.
What can you do?
Donate what you can. Unicef (UK | US) could use your support to meet the urgent needs of displaced children in Yemen, and ensure they don’t miss out on an education.
😊
Relax 🧘
This past year, nerves have been frayed. The Center for Healthy Minds has 10 tips for protecting your mental health during the pandemic.
What can you do?
Take some deep breaths. And remember: if you’re feeling rubbish, you’re not alone.
Stay connected ️📬
Almost a quarter of adults have struggled with loneliness during the pandemic. When the first lockdown was announced in Ireland, local postal service An Post gave every single household two postcards with postage paid to “post messages of support to family and friends”.
What can you do?
Write a handwritten letter to a friend or family member. It will be a lovely surprise for them and can strengthen your bond far more than an email, text or call.
Shake things up ️🎲
With much of life shut down for so long, you may have felt you’ve been reliving your own ‘Groundhog Day’ over and over. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is all about bringing positive serendipity into people’s lives — something we could all use more of right now.
What can you do?
Do one small thing to shake up each day. Check out our month’s worth of suggestions, where you can click each square to discover a resource to help you do something different.
Vacation responsibly ⛱
The disruption of typical holiday breaks during the pandemic left millions without enough rest during a particularly tough time. So developers started helping people get away from it all without spreading the virus. Drive & Listen, created by Erkam Şeker, takes you on virtual drives through dozens of cities across the globe while listening to a local radio station. WindowSwap, by Sonali Ranjit and Vaishnav Balasubramaniam, lets you gaze out someone else’s window somewhere else in the world.
What can you do?
Take some proper time off. But do it responsibly and sustainably — consider a ‘staycation’. Here are 30 fun ways to holiday at (or near) home.
Stop scammers 💸
Criminals took control of several high profile Twitter accounts (Barack Obama, Elon Musk and Apple, among others) as part of a coordinated Bitcoin scam. Google has partnered with non-profit Cybercrime Support Network to create Scam Spotter, which shares details of common scams along with practical advice to stop people falling victim to them.
What can you do?
Visit Scam Spotter to learn its ‘three golden rules’ for stopping scammers, and how they apply to some popular scams. Then share the information with colleagues, friends and family.
Be optimistic about the future ☀️
In Britain, over 100,000 people received jabs in the first week of its vaccine roll out. Margaret Keenan, the first person vaccinated in the UK said, “I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the new year.” Recently, Laura Olin asked her newsletter readers what they’re most looking forward to. Here are the 100 responses she collected.
What can you do?
Take a moment to write down something you’re looking forward to. Then share it so we can all channel some optimism.
🌍 ✊ 🗳 🏘 🆘 😊
This is not the end.
Inspired? There’s a reason our ‘do-something-about-the-news letter’ was named one of the 50 best newsletters in the world.
Subscribe here to join thousands of people doing something every week to create positive change. Visit todaydothis.com to find out more.
