Hi Kari. I think that it is really cool that you care for the environment and want to help in your own way. I believe that the first step is education. Read a bit about the issues going on around you. This could be very empowering and will allow you to talk to others about the issues in a knowledgeable way. Read about Greenpeace and popular topics here. I would say being aware of recycling (cloth bags a supermarket, and recycling bottles in your house) is the first step. This is the way I began and as I learned more I got more involved.