It often feels like the onus to halt climate change is on individuals’ shoulders. Whether campaigns urge us to recycle more, fly less or go vegan, the message is clear: Shrink your carbon footprint to save the planet. 

New WRI research tells a different story. We examined how personal choices affect the climate, assessing what you can do if you want to make the biggest impact in your day-to-day life. We found that individual behavior changes do make a difference — some much more so than others. But we also discovered that without broader support from governments and companies, these shifts only achieve about 10% of their potential climate impact. 

In fact, the “carbon footprint” narrative may be approaching the problem all wrong. 

Nature crimes like illegal gold mining and illegal fishing are on the rise, with ecosystems, biodiversity and frontline communities paying the price. WRI experts examined how these complex crimes play out, what’s enabling them and how to fight back more effectively.

International negotiators are meeting this week to try to hash out a first-of-its kind carbon tax for international shipping. If adopted, it could help level the playing field for alternative shipping fuels that are still nascent but sorely needed to meet the industry's climate pledges.

Delhi and other parts of India are facing temperatures up to 40 degrees C (104 degrees F) this week, with early-season heatwaves becoming more frequent and intense.  But India is also among the countries exploring practical solutions that can help cool cities down, even as temperatures continue to climb.

We analyzed sustainable choices across transportation, energy and food to learn where individuals can make the biggest impact on climate change in their day-to-day lives.