The huge problems described in the recent Climate Change report from the IPCC makes it seem like only governments and big companies could possibly make a dent in mitigating climate change. In reality, though, the small actions each of us take can have a big impact. From riding the bus to lobbying legislators, what you do can slow climate change.

It might seem like improving the taste and texture of plant-based meats such as Impossible burgers would convince carnivores who love beef and other animal-based meats to try plant-based alternatives. It’s not. Perhaps surprisingly, focusing on environmental and social benefits works better than talking about taste or even health.

Wearing clothes might seem like it doesn’t hurt the environment nearly as much as driving and flying or a multitude of other polluting activities. The reality, though, is different. Every time we get dressed, we literally put climate change on our backs. Indeed, the textile industry is one of the world's worst polluters. Changing what we wear can help reduce climate change and protect the environment.

All across Singapore, office buildings and condos are continually being pulled down and rebuilt. Little thought is often given, though, to the environmental impact of that destruction. It turns out that renovating buildings is far better for the environment than rebuilding. Changing mindsets and construction practices could help Singapore achieve its climate goals faster.

Investors’ interest in companies with environmentally friendly practices is growing, and research shows that returns from these firms are higher. Measuring a company’s environmental practices is, though, still quite difficult. While development of better metrics is underway, investors can still figure out whether a company is doing well now by developing their own criteria and using the reporting that already exists.

Despite plenty of talk for two decades or more, recycling rates in Singapore are low and actually declined last year. Recycling can be a misnomer, too, as some “recycled” materials are incinerated or sent overseas. Despite the lack of progress, individuals have a key role to play in driving recycling forward and pushing policymakers to take action faster.

In 2020, hundreds more companies set a target of “net zero” for greenhouse gas emissions. Many plan to achieve that goal only by 2050, however, and just have vague plans about how to get there. While the target sounds good, the only way to achieve it is to establish concrete milestones and measurements. Despite what might seem like a difficult task, some companies have put real plans in place. More should leverage their insights to make their commitment meaningful and actually accomplish it.