Climate change has quickly become one of the most divisive modern issues on a global and national scale. Taking action to directly combat climate change, whether it be decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, instituting extreme recycling initiatives, or  cracking down regulations on major corporations, is one of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Though climate change was highly skepticized in its original proposal, it has been mostly accepted on the global scale to be a pressing issue. However, the entanglement of political and economic prerogatives with climate regulation further complicates and prevents positive change. A rhetorical commonplace can be found in the fight against climate through the use of the phrase “No action is too small.” Specifically, I will be citing a mural commissioned in 2013 in Des Moines, Idaho as an educational tool to promote recycling and the proper disposal of everyday urban waste. It is found outside of the Metro Waste Authority building in downtown Des Moines.

Photo from https://dsmpublicartfoundation.org/public-artwork/no-action-to-small/

This commonplace is found in the titling of the mural “No Action Too Small” and is physically communicated through the many small objects and creatures coming together in a 30 ft by 60 ft mural. Upon closer inspection, the many objects include plastic bottles, bumble bees, birds, recycling logos, light bulbs, and bushes. This mural wants to promote and reassure everyday citizens of Des Moines that they can play a part in fighting against climate change through recycling and proper disposal of the wastes pictured. The use of such a large mural to shows how the combination of small things can build to something literally larger than the viewer, as they look above them 30ft to the top of the mural. Bright colors and eye catching characters instantly draw the eye and intrigue the viewers that pass along the road whether it be on foot or in a car.

This mural is an effective artifact in conveying this commonplace through its ability to reach a large audience in a metropolitan area, its distinctive and eye catching style, and its physical message of small things having a larger impact. The commonplace of “No action is too small” has additionally been used by Greta Thunberg, an extremely strong spoken and young climate change activist known world wide. This commonplace is easily cited in startup recycling programs as it is an easy message to invite all individuals to fight against climate change, making it an inclusive community idea.