Do personal choices affect climate change outcomes? That’s one of the big questions for the climate crisis. We know that the major factors come from industry and obviously, a private person forgoing air travel or cutting meat from their menu won’t change that. But, even so, making personal changes can have an impact, just not exactly in the way we think.

Small personal changes won’t turn the tide of climate change but they will encourage others around you to make similar changes. As a group, you can influence changes at a policy and industry level. But that change doesn’t start if you don’t make changes.

You don’t have to do everything but reuse your bags at the grocery store. Look into renewable energy for your home. Cut out meat a few times a week. Baby steps. Remember, we’re all in this together.