“I don’t want your hope. I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic…and act as if the house was on fire. Because it is.” —Greta Thunberg

Scientists say that we only have 11 years to prevent further damages from climate change.

That’s 11 years to resolve the problems we’ve created in the last few decades.

But it’s just enough time for us to change ourselves and the way we live our lives for the better because we need our planet more than anything else. It’s our home.

In honor of Earth Day this year, think about your environmental footprint and how you have impacted the planet. Look at how much trash you create, how much water you use, and how much energy you use on a daily basis and think to yourself, “Is this the type of impact I want to leave on this world?”

Nobody should ever tell you how to live and I completely stand by that. But you have the choice to make better decisions. Choose wisely.

Think of plastic straws. Some may say that removing them barely reduces the amount of plastic waste we still have lying in our oceans. But put it into this perspective: Small changes can lead to bigger things. Using metal straws was once something trendy and is now a social norm. Imagine other things that could become social norms like shopping sustainably or reducing your overall use of plastic.

These simple changes can be revolutionary.

Take this time to rethink the way you shop for clothing, the amount of waste you make, and all your actions that leave an effect on this planet.

Take the simple straw trend and make that your starting point for change. Make it your inspiration to find better alternatives for your everyday essentials that are great for you and the Earth.

Take this as an opportunity for you to make the world a better place and to provide a better future for the Earth and humanity. Do your part and do your own research for how you could help.

Make the 11 years an ultimatum on climate change because after all, this is the only Earth we have.