Instead of using fear, shame, or sacrifice, frame climate action as an opportunity to rethink life and boost individual happiness. Leverage positive, dopamine-driven emotions for sustainable engagement with climate solutions.
Adopt a mathematical, rather than moralizing, approach to climate action by focusing on impactful changes within your current capacity. Accept that perfection is impossible, extend self-compassion when plans fall through, and celebrate small wins to sustain efforts long-term.
Avoid shaming or lecturing others about their climate actions, as individual constraints vary. Instead, lead by example through your own sustainable behaviors and make climate-friendly activities enjoyable and inviting for others to join.
Reduce consumption of high-carbon meats like beef and lamb, which have an outsized impact on carbon emissions. When indulging in high-carbon foods, do so less often and with greater savoring to increase pleasure and reduce overall carbon impact.
Place perishable produce at the front of your fridge door and move long-lasting condiments to drawers. This ensures you see and consume perishables faster, reducing food waste and carbon emissions.
Reduce flying by being selective about necessary trips, considering alternatives, and bundling essential flights with personal happiness-boosting activities (e.g., visiting friends). This maximizes “happiness per carbon” and protects your free time by making you pause to consider the carbon costs.
If you must drive, organize a carpool with friends or colleagues who live on your route and whom you enjoy. This transforms an unhappy commute into a social opportunity, significantly reducing carbon emissions while boosting your daily happiness.
Avoid fast fashion by investing in fewer, high-quality clothes you love and wearing them for a long time, which cuts emissions and increases appreciation. Alternatively, enjoy thrifting as a “treasure hunt” for unique, low-cost items that bring joy and reduce waste.
Focus on individual actions that have a significant climate impact and are visible to others (e.g., driving an EV, eating plant-based meals, using reusable items). This creates a positive ripple effect and encourages broader adoption, rather than focusing on symbolic actions.