I worked as an activist in a small community in a plant buffer zone that felt powerless in the face of smells, plumes, and fears about their health. I use my knowledge of the regulations to show managers in my company how to stay in compliance. I share environmental technology with environmental engineers at other companies. I educate small business owners on proper installation of environmentally friendly systems. I'm on the steering committee for the Environmental Leadership Program.
Environmental change takes time.
Any growth in human population is going to take up land, use resources, and produce wastes. These cannot be zero, but we should minimize them. Being smarter about how to do things, including environmental considerations in our choices of what to make, buy, use. Provide the public with good sound data about what has been accomplished, and what remains to be done, and measure public's understanding of the environment and what affects both good and bad. A healthy environment is a matter of pride.