20 Things You Can Do Today to Make The World a Better Place

Be like Leslie Knope and get to know your elected leaders. (Photo: NBC)

Get Politically Engaged

We’ve probably all learned a lot about politics in the past few months, for both good and ill. So it shouldn’t surprise you that one of the biggest things you can do to make the world better in 2017 is by being an informed, engaged citizen of America. Is there an issue you care about or a politician you’re interested in? Learn everything you can about them this year. Be super informed.

Do you know who your Congressperson and Senators are? Do your Congressperson and Senators agree with your stances on issues? Find out. And then send them a note to tell them that you appreciate their support. Or call their office to say thank you. (Or both.) Follow them on social media and promote their words. Alternately, do your elected representatives disagree with your stances on issues? Let them know. A lot. After all, technically they work for you, too. Your voice counts just as much as anyone else’s does in your district.

Do you know when your next local and state elections are? Do you know who’s running for which offices? Find out. Tell your friends. Political change begins at the local level. And that’s where we can all have the most immediate impact. It’s a sad fact that far fewer people vote in local and state elections than national ones. We need to change that. In that vein, take the time to investigate the local political party offices in your area. Get involved, if you feel so inclined. Go to a party meeting. Run for a committee. Help shape the direction and vision of the groups leading our country, in whatever way you can.