While it is easy to be intimidated into a state of apathy by the corporate giants who seem intent on destroying our world, one small change in each person can have a remarkable effect.

And you don't have to participate in guerrilla tactics, terrorism, propaganda, violent rallying or anything overtly political or illegal to do so.

Activism doesn't have to be about agitating people or kicking up a stink. It's about getting your bum off the giant fence surrounding the globe and taking a stance.

If you are not sure what to take a stance on, you won't have to look far, injustice is everywhere. Just look around you, find something that does not feel right to you and follow these tips:

Read up
There's no substitute for education. Read up on various movements or find individual stories about people who have dedicated their lives to a particular cause. You don't have to model yourself on them but let their stories inspire you to find your own voice, however big or small it may be.

It's also worth looking at alternative media sourcesfor independent global news and information.

Get the T-shirt
I was fortunate enough to travel to Bali on a family holiday recently. On our first day of shopping my brother-in-law bought a T-shirt depicting the horror of the Bali bombings through a graphic collage of newspaper headlines at the time of the attacks.

Just by wearing that T-shirt, he provided a thought-provoking jolt to all the starry-eyed tourists who were enjoying that beautiful country with no regard as to how the bombings really affected (and still affects) the locals.

Boycott it
In the changing room at the gym, two ladies were speaking about the Olympics , one of them said: "Have you heard about what's happening to the people in Tibet? It's shocking. I refuse to watch the Olympics. I know it's not going to make a difference, but in my small way, I am objecting to the injustice."

We tend to underestimate the power of commerce. The amount of money corporate sponsors spend, and make, on such a global event is mind-boggling. If everyone who feels that the Chinese government is in the wrong refuses to watch the Olympics, advertising revenues would take a huge knock and that would make a difference.

You don't even have to boycott something as huge as the Olympics. Just research the companies you support or the products you buy and if you don’t like what you find, go elsewhere.

Protest
There are other ways of protesting besides marching or signing declarations. You could blog about your cause, set up an online petition or call into a talk radio station and tell people about any injustice you have noticed. Just by promoting awareness you are planting the seeds of change.

Support the arts
"Protest theatre" was the lifeblood of the struggle during apartheid. It became a powerful medium for getting an important message across when all other mediums were censored.

And across the globe, throughout every controversial era, for every war or every injustice, there has been a play, movie, song painting to promote awareness. Just by going to watch, hear or read and being open to the various messages, you are making a difference.

Independent film collectives and festivals are becoming increasingly popular and are making huge strides in getting important social and environmental messages to the public.

Ask and you shall receive
We often make the automatic assumption that things are permanent, or irreversible, and so we choose not to question them by default.

For every public decision made, there is somebody in charge. All you have to do is find out who they are and address your concerns. Whether it's about the closure of a public park, the way pets are treated in your housing complex, or finding out about recycling in your workplace – there is no harm in asking. You may even find that others have had the same concerns, and your complaint or query may be the one that finally leads to change.

One is enough
Another huge apathy-inducing factor is the amount of causes in existence. Thinking about all the charities, injustices and rights violations out there could make you feel guilty for picking just one.

These days, everyone is going green but what about the elderly, animals, farm workers? Don't be overwhelmed into a state of apathy. Just pick one, any one, that means the most to you.

Passion is the greatest motivator for any action. Just believe in something so whole-heartedly that you live by it, your passion will inspire others to follow your example with their own cause and that is how just one person can start making difference.