“Oh, you eat vegan now? But didn’t you take the plane last year?”
“Nice that you don’t buy fast fashion, but isn’t that campervan of yours worse?”

This kind of what-aboutism always makes me a little bit angry. Makes me want to throw a piece of soggy tofu at the commenter’s face. (Which, of course, I don’t –  I’m not an angry vegan. In fact, I’m not even fully vegan, just to be clear.)

Instead, I tell them politely that criticizing those making an effort is not helping the eco-transition. It paralyzes it. When we demand perfection, eco-purity and spotless consistency, we make people afraid to even begin. Because they feel they can never be good enough. And those who already started making greener decisions, are silenced for fear of criticism, which is not helping either.

The 100% perfectly sustainable person does not exist, the system in which we live simply makes that impossible. So maybe it’s time we stop demanding that from each other.

Instead of pointing out each other’s imperfections, let’s lift one another up. Celebrate small steps, encourage each other, say that their decisions have effect, share tips. Switch from ‘why the f*** are you still eating cow’s yoghurt?’ to ‘hey, that’s great you switched to plant-based milk, have you tried this delicious soy yoghurt too?’

Progress over perfection please, thank you.