In my view, climate change is the issue of our time. It underpins nearly every other challenge we face—from political instability to financial distress.

We’re already seeing the consequences: hotter summers, stronger storms, longer wildfire seasons and droughts that reshape entire regions. Global greenhouse gas emissions remain near record highs.

This decade is critical. Scientists warn that global emissions must fall rapidly to avoid the worst outcomes outlined in the Paris Agreement. Much of the change ahead is already locked into place—but how severe it becomes is still up to us.

Vote!

Start at the polls and demand more of your officials. Personal decisions alone won’t stop climate change. That requires policy shifts and infrastructure at national and global scale.

Researchers at Project Drawdown have identified dozens of climate solutions already in use today—from renewable energy and reduced food waste to plant-rich diets, protecting forests, and expanding access to health and education. In other words: the tools exist. What’s needed is speed and scale.

Officials derive their courage from the conduct of citizens. Whether that means showing up at the ballot box, supporting better policy, or choosing the planet over convenience in everyday ways, here are some ways I try to live a little lighter between elections.

Rethink.

Start by questioning your consumption habits. Look at your pantry, closet and trash and ask what you truly need.

Refuse.

A plastic bag is used for ~12 minutes on average before being discarded, yet it can persist for centuries.

Say no to single-use plastics whenever possible—whether it’s takeout containers or parts of your beauty routine. Build a small kit of reusables so saying no becomes easy.

Reduce.

Buy fewer things, choose better materials, and take care of what you own. Eat mostly plants. Seek out bulk bins. When containers are unavoidable, favor reuse and durability over disposability.

Reuse.

Extend the life cycle of what you already have. Repair worn items. Refill containers. Repurpose a glass jar. Borrow or rent tools you rarely use. Keeping products in use longer dramatically lowers their environmental footprint.

Recycle.

Recycling still matters—but it’s not the silver bullet many of us hoped it would be. Globally, only a small fraction of plastic has ever been recycled. Contamination and complex packaging often send “recyclables” straight to the landfill. Recycling works best when materials are clean, simple and properly sorted. When in doubt, check local guidelines. For hard-to-recycle materials, try Terracycle. And remember: reducing waste upstream matters far more than trying to process it after the fact.

Rot.

About ⅓ of material buried in landfills could have been composted. When food decomposes without oxygen in landfills, it releases methane—a greenhouse gas 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Composting returns nutrients to the soil and cuts methane emissions at the same time. Store scraps in the freezer between compost drop-offs to prevent odors and speed breakdown.

Replace.

Shop secondhand when possible. Support companies investing in durable products, circular design and cleaner supply chains. When travel or purchases create emissions you can’t avoid, climate credits can help fund projects that remove or reduce carbon elsewhere.

But the biggest shift is simple: buy less, use longer, waste less.