Many students at the 2019 climate strike in San Francisco said they were tired of adults not taking responsibility for climate change.
Credit: Andrew Reed/EdSource
In an era saturated with data, opinions and noise, it’s easy to question your inner voice. We’re taught to defer to experts, wait for consensus and downplay our instincts in the name of objectivity. But history shows that meaningful change often begins with a quiet sense that something isn’t right — and gains momentum when people come together around a shared purpose.
Trusting your instincts doesn’t mean ignoring facts or rushing to judgment. It means listening to the inner signal that something deserves attention. It’s that initial sense of concern or injustice that nudges us toward action — even when the path forward is uncertain.
But instinct, while powerful, is only the beginning. Real progress takes connection, dialogue and long-term effort. It requires individuals from different backgrounds — parents, educators, scientists, neighbors — coming together with a shared commitment to protect their communities and improve the systems we all rely on.
This was true in my own experience advocating for safer school environments and creating California Safe Schools. It began with a deep discomfort after learning pesticides were being used near my child’s school without warning. I didn’t have all the answers, but I trusted that concern — and I wasn’t alone. As I listened to other parents, teachers and school stakeholders and began working with them, our efforts grew stronger. We built partnerships, asked hard questions and, over time, helped establish the most protective school pesticide policies in the nation, founded on the precautionary principle and the right to know in Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second-largest. This effort led to statewide legislation, the Healthy Schools Act and Assembly Bill 405 (Cindy Montanez, D-San Fernando), which prohibits the use of experimental pesticides on school sites, yet our work is far from finished.
Today, the challenges we face — from climate impacts to chemical exposures — are complex and urgent. But the core lesson remains the same: Change is possible when people listen to their instincts, and then engage others with curiosity, humility and resolve.
We don’t need to have all the answers to get involved. Often, the most important step is simply starting: asking a question, raising a concern, starting a conversation.
Those moments build momentum. And when people come together around a shared concern — with mutual respect and a willingness to listen — real solutions can emerge.
Change rarely happens overnight. It takes time, persistence, and above all, trust — trust in ourselves and one another. But when that effort is grounded in care — for our families, our communities, and our shared future — and strengthened through collaboration, it becomes far more than individual resolve. It becomes a collective force capable of shaping lasting, meaningful change.
If this message resonates with you — if you’ve ever felt that quiet alarm bell ringing inside — you’re not alone, and you don’t have to act alone. Whether you’re a parent, student, educator, health professional or concerned resident, there are countless ways to get involved. Begin by connecting with others who share your concerns. Understand the issue that’s pulling at you — read, listen, learn — and then find one small way to make a difference. Start there. Small steps build momentum, and momentum creates change.
Attend a community forum, join a neighborhood group or participate in a local environmental or health initiative. Ask questions, share what you’ve learned, and support organizations working toward safer, healthier communities. Your voice matters — and when it’s combined with others, it becomes a powerful force for good.
At California Safe Schools, we’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power that emerges when individuals lead with courage, clarity and compassion. Real change doesn’t happen in isolation — it takes collective resolve, informed action, and an unwavering commitment to justice. It means challenging broken systems, holding institutions accountable, and reimagining what’s possible for our communities and future generations.
Each of us holds the power to question what is and help shape what could be. Whether by raising a voice, asking thoughtful questions, sharing knowledge, or building community — these actions matter. When rooted in purpose, they create ripples that grow into lasting waves of change.
The path forward begins with each of us — summoned by this moment to move with clarity, speak with truth, and act with the urgency of those who believe change is possible.
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Robina Suwol is the founder and executive director of California Safe Schools, a nationally recognized children’s environmental health coalition whose work led to a law prohibiting the use of experimental pesticides in California schools.
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