Have you ever wondered if skipping that plastic straw or carrying a reusable tote really makes a difference?

It seems like our small choices are pointless when we hear that real change must come from big companies and programs. You may also have wondered, “Does it really matter if I stop using plastic when the world keeps manufacturing it out?” You’re not alone. But what if I told you that our individual actions are drops in a bucket, slowly tip the scales towards something greater? While no one person’s efforts will save the planet, together, they set the stage for the changes we all hope to see.

Perhaps you’ve heard it before: big corporations are the real cause behind climate change, and they’d love for us to believe that switching to a reusable tote will fix everything. Articles like those of Joshua Goldstein, a professor emeritus of international relations at American University, who argues that “climate change is a problem governments will solve, not individuals,” point to how companies push the burden onto consumers, distracting us from their own role in climate destruction. Systemic changes like regulations and industry-wide transformations are essential — no doubt about it. But here’s where I diverge: Dismissing the role of individual actions is like saying a single vote doesn’t matter in an election. My stance is clear: Our personal choices like reducing plastic use, conserving energy, and promoting sustainable products are part of a bigger picture that can push society toward the change we desperately need.

Hannah Carty, a climate writer, also argues that “making choices in a flawed system is not going to get us anywhere.” Carty highlights how systemic barriers such as greenwashing, limit the impact of personal actions. For example, industries may continue large-scale production of single-use plastics despite promoting “eco-friendly” options, sustaining reliance on fossil fuels. While her argument rightly stresses the limitations of individual choices, it overlooks how consistent consumer demand for sustainable products can drive gradual market transformation. Over time, this pressure forces businesses to adapt or risk obsolescence.

Think about how consumer behavior has changed entire industries. When people began demanding reusable bags and cutting back on single-use plastics, businesses took notice. It’s a feedback loop of collective actions that spark other actions; when enough people make a conscious choice, companies and policymakers respond. As Andrew Hoffman explains in How Culture Shapes the Climate Debate, cultural shifts often begin with individual actions that challenge the status quo and create new norms. Consumer pressure has pushed major brands to offer sustainable alternatives. This demand wasn’t just about buying reusable bags; it stemmed from a cycle of individual decisions reinforced by petitions, community-led campaigns, and advocacy that caught the attention of policymakers and businesses. That led to cities like Boulder to introduce plastic bag bans. Similarly, Starbucks’ decision to phase out plastic straws arose from consumer choices and public pressure, part of a strategy where individual actions signaled demand.

By combining individual choices with collective advocacy, these movements became more than isolated actions; they created a united push for change. This mix of personal responsibility and community-driven efforts is what drives industries to transform and policies to shift. Without the connection of individual actions and broader movements, these changes might not have succeeded. Take Greta Thunberg’s school strike as an example. It started with a single student standing outside the Swedish parliament, and it grew into a global movement. Similarly, corporations and governments have responded to shifting consumer demands, from Starbucks phasing out plastic straws to cities banning plastic bags. When we align our actions with our values, we create a ripple effect that reaches policymakers, businesses and entire communities.

What’s next? The fight against climate change requires us all, individuals, businesses and governments to act. While systemic change is essential, our personal choices can drive cultural shifts that open the door to broader developments. So, next time you consider making a choice, remember: Your choices matter. Let’s come together and unite in purpose; let’s take action, and make a difference, one decision at a time. Join the movement, connect with your community and stand for the sustainable practices that will define the future we all strive to build.

Jawad Aleid lives in Boulder.