Here are some simple ways to help the Earth:

1️⃣ Conserve Water and Energy: Be mindful of your water and energy usage. Turn off taps when not in use, fix leaks promptly, switch off lights, unplug devices, and utilize energy-efficient appliances.

2️⃣ Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Cut down on consumption, benefitting both the planet and your wallet. Opt for products with minimal packaging and recycle materials whenever possible. Minimize waste by refusing single-use items and rethinking consumption habits.

3️⃣Eat Sustainably: Shift towards a plant-based diet and choose locally grown, organic foods.

4️⃣Educate Others: Raise awareness about environmental issues and inspire others to take action.

5️⃣ Drive systemic change by voting for climate-focused leaders, protesting to raise awareness, supporting petitions, engaging in grassroots movements, and holding corporations accountable through activism and conscious choices.

6️⃣ Use Less Plastic: Opt for reusable bags, bottles, and containers over single-use plastic items.

7️⃣Reduce Food Waste: Minimize food waste by planning meals, utilizing leftovers, and composting.

8️⃣Say No to Fast Fashion: Choose sustainable clothing options and support ethical fashion practices.

9️⃣ Go Car-Free: Reduce emissions by walking, biking, carpooling, or using public transportation.

1️⃣0️⃣Plant Trees: Trees play a vital role in combating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.

Sometimes it can feel like the things we do for climate change aren’t enough.

But collectively, individual and household actions can account for a large share of greenhouse gas reductions. If everyone, or even one out of 10 people, engaged in a “green” behavior, it would make a bigger difference than we often realize.

Corporations shifting the burden of climate change onto individual consumers is strategic and unfair to avoid responsibility. However, according to YPCCC’s Anthony Leiserowitz, it’s wrong to look at climate change solutions as solely good or bad. We may want to reduce our own emissions while keeping corporations accountable.

To read more about the adoption of such behaviors, read YPCCC’s “Household Climate Actions - Adoption and Barriers” report.

To find out about other research into the impact of individual actions, read “What if Everyone Did Something to Slow Climate Change?” by Alina Tugend in the New York Times.