Saving Our Planet

By James Tong December 10, 2025

"What humans do over the next 50 years will determine the fate of all life on the planet," renowned natural historian David Attenborough once said.

In the face of rapid climate change—causing devastating heatwaves, droughts and habitat destruction—environmental action is more urgent than ever. Companies and governments often emphasize individual lifestyle changes as the solution, but this framing can overlook larger sources of emissions. While efforts start with the individual, ultimately, together is the only way to truly bring substantial change. 

When global warming is discussed at an individual level, the idea of a carbon footprint encourages people to calculate and reduce their personal emissions. However, this approach to inspire responsibility shifts attention away from the much larger contributors to climate change. According to a study by InfluenceMap, just 57 companies are linked to 80% of fossil CO2 emissions since 2016. When major companies cause such a large portion of emissions, individual behavioral changes can only be a small step to the large-scale reductions necessary to turn the tide of global warming.  

This does not mean that individuals' efforts to reduce their carbon footprint are powerless. Rather, it suggests that, beyond everyday habits—such as turning off the lights, recycling or biking—actions that influence larger systems and policies are pivotal in addressing climate change. As per the London School of Economics and Political Science, climate lobbying plays a major role in shaping national policies, where citizens contact representatives, support climate organizations or discuss environmental issues at local meetings. 

"Large businesses and governments are the ones with the power to create big changes, but those changes are sparked by individual actions and micropolitics. Individuals trying to make a difference can inspire others, build movements and eventually create changes in these larger organizations. Especially with governments, tackling climate change relies on strong policies that are shared among nations for any long-term solution to work," Junior Aamir Lokhandwala said. 

There are also practical actions that communities and individuals can take at home. According to Project Drawdown, a platform on climate solutions, reducing food waste is one of the most important ways someone can make an impact. When food breaks down in landfills, it produces methane, a greenhouse gas more damaging than carbon dioxide. Collectively cutting this waste at home and at school helps to reduce a carbon footprint, as landfills accounted for 14.4% of methane emissions in 2022, per the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Improving composting programs or waste sorting to keep organic material out of the landfills can also help communities reduce this major source of emissions. Another strategy is switching to heat pumps, which are more energy efficient than traditional gas heating systems in homes, allowing for lower long-term carbon emissions. Heat pumps work by transferring heat rather than generating heat, so they use much less energy and result in lower utility bills.  

Spreading awareness plays a crucial role in halting global warming. Talking to friends and family about climate issues helps to build an environment where people take conscious actions to help the planet. Even watching a nature documentary by David Attenborough can be a step in the right direction. Social media posts also help spread information about global warming, political actions and creative ways people can do their part for the environment every day.  

"Our school does a good job teaching about climate change in classes such as biology and environmental science, where we learn about global warming and its impacts. Since many students do not actually follow through with actions, schools could help students understand the issue with more active opportunities, such as projects and programs, as learning is more effective when there is action," Senior Warren Tan said. 

Climate change is an urgent global problem, but a combination of environmentally conscious legislation, practical community actions and widespread awareness can create real progress. With efforts from the individual to the collective, society can take meaningful steps to redirect the course of climate change. 

---

About the Contributor

James Tong

Writer

James Tong is a junior at Leland High School and the Opinions and Feature US Page Editor for The Charger Account. He enjoys swimming, biking, drawing, hanging out with friends and following all the latest news in F1.