Being a good steward of the earth is not one-size-fits-all

Is environmentalism all or nothing? Of course not! Sure there are people who are gung-ho for actionable change—those who lead marches in the streets, do sit-ins, have podcasts, write blogs, or do any measure of activity on behalf of the environment. Nonetheless, you don't have to be a tree-hugger to understand good stewardship of the earth.

Tree-huggers do have their place, but so do others that have specific concerns about the environment and those who want to learn how they can make better choices to help the planet. None who care about the environment should be dismissed, or dismiss themselves. Stewardship simply refers to the job of taking care of something or someone. So when you think about it, it's everybody's job to take care of the earth.

Find your area of passion and do what you can when you can. Sure, it is a very casual approach but most fires are ignited with a small spark. Here are six ways you can start:

1. Separate recyclable items from your trash like plastics, cans, and cardboard.
2. Donate your old or unused clothing, shoes, linen, and other household items that can be reused by others.
3. Learn how to recycle your solar panels.
4. Bring your refillable water bottle with you to avoid single-use plastic bottles.
5. Do your research on what companies provide sustainable product options.
6. Don't forget your reusable shopping bags.

These are small steps that make a huge difference in the long run. Start small so you don't fizzle out. And when you feel the call to take on more responsibility, don't ignore your stewardship, dig in.