I'm trying to come up with things that people --- anyone --- can do to improve the economy and the environment. Things that will actually make a difference.

Buy from small stores. Independent stores. Don't give your business to a national chain.

These are some examples:

Pharmacies

There's probably no longer an independent pharmacy in your town or city, but if there is, support it. Even if it's a chain, like CVS or Duane Reade, get your drugs from one that's near your neighborhood rather than mail order from an online pharmacy. If your insurance company demands that you use mail order, lodge a protest. Mail orders often go wrong and can easily get mixed up. It isn't all done by computer or robots; people make mistakes. And with computers and bots there are other mistakes: like programming ones, which may interfere with your getting your medication on time. If it's important medicine, like for diabetes or HIV or Arthritis or Hepatitis or Asthma, these mix ups can be very damaging or fatal. You shouldn't have to depend on a pharmacy that's in a completely different state or hours away from you. Buying your medicines as close to home as possible helps ensure that your community stays employed.

Books

Unfortunately all the bookstores are gone. This might reflect the state of reading in America. I don't know. Barnes and Noble still has some outlets, but generally if you open Google Maps to an area, type in the word Bookstore, all that will come back are Christian bookstores.