To avoid the worst damages from climate change, actions are needed by individuals and by institutions including businesses and governments.  While there is a need for action on a massive scale, individuals may feel that their actions are too small to have significant effect. This paper outlines some solutions that individuals can pursue as purchasers and users of energy-using devices.

Burning fossil fuels to supply energy for human uses is one of the major causes of climate change. In the US, major areas for improvement include transportation and energy use in buildings. To minimize emissions, solutions include energy efficiency (using less energy for the same services), fuel switching (to more climate-friendly supplies, such as renewable energy), and conservative usage behavior. Calculators are available for estimating one’s carbon footprint. Switching modes to walking, bicycling, and public transportation whenever possible is effective. By sharing rather than owning, the number of vehicles produced and used can be reduced.  In transportation by light duty vehicles, selection of electric vehicles, or at least hybrids, in place of gasoline or diesel vehicles can significantly reduce emissions by reducing fuel consumption. 

Combining measures has a multiplicative effect. To illustrate how several aspects of decisions can work to multiply effects, an example involves: using a smaller vehicle that is also more efficient, and using it less frequently illustrates how reducing waste in the size of the equipment, utilizing efficient designs, and avoiding wasteful trips work together. For buildings, emissions can be reduced with smaller, more efficient buildings, operated efficiently, and denser cities.