I think it’s easy to get discouraged when the powers that be, whether they’re local, state or national, fail to do something in line with your views. Take the Copenhagen summit, for example. We had high hopes that a binding climate deal would be reached, but that didn’t happen. You can write letters and stage protests and do all sorts of things to make your voice heard, but in the end, not everything is going to go your way. Sad but true.

But there’s hope. When it comes to the environment, sometimes the biggest changes happen on the smallest scales. It’s important to keep yourself informed about national and international issues, but just as important are the local issues — and what you personally can do to make your community a little greener.

For example, let’s say your city’s recycling program only accepts the standard paper, plastic and aluminum cans. Want to instate an expanded recycling program? Get involved. Write an opinion piece and send it to your local newspaper (yes, local newspapers are still viable forums for community discourse, particularly if they have a good website.) If your mayor, city council members, and other town decision-makers are worth their salt, they read the newspaper.

Another tactic is to attend these city meetings. Contact the person who is responsible for the agenda and get yourself on it. Make sure you’ve prepared a short but effective speech, citing relevant statistics and an outline of the expanded services you’d like to see. Bring friends and family members to provide moral support, both for you and the issue at hand.

Get in touch with national conservation groups, such as The Sierra Club, Conservation International, TakePart, and the EPA’s WasteWise program. Any of these organizations can provide tips to help you lobby local officials.

If you live in a college town, there is a wealth of expertise nearby. Professors and other experts can provide some scientific data to add a little oomph to your proposal.

When it comes to these kinds of local programs, your elected officials are still going to have to make the call to get them instated — but you have a lot more pull with local decision-makers than you do with the national ones. Remember, you elected these people. They work for you, not the other way around. It may take time, but the more people you talk to, the more support you’ll get.

And if you’re successful? Not only will you be helping the planet, you’ll experience the joy of knowing you’ve made a difference. There’s nothing quite like the feeling you get from doing something good for yourself and those you love.