And yet, I can pen the following piece without any reservations, for it does not aim to rectify everything or provide universal solutions. There exists no cure-all, no singular answer to the issue of climate change.

We can discuss and scrutinize scalable solutions, evaluating which concepts are more viable based on scientific evidence and behavioral economics. However, as we engage in these discussions, the Earth’s climate continues to evolve. Amidst our debates, there lies an opportunity for action.

Paper straws, akin to straw men, serve as convenient scapegoats. Undoubtedly, some still believe that merely recycling soda cans and transitioning to biodegradable picnic utensils suffice. The solution is far more complex. Yet, recognizing this complexity does not justify inaction.

Following the publication of several articles on climate, Medium recognized me as a “top writer” in the field. Surprisingly — what? The articles did not achieve widespread attention; instead, it was the limited number of contributors.

Currently, I no longer hold the title of top writer. This change is positive. I’ve reduced my focus slightly after expressing most of my thoughts, but my status shift is likely due to an increase in people discussing climate change. The discourse continues to expand.

Every article contributes incrementally to the cause.

Dave Brailsford popularized the concept of the Aggregation of Marginal Gains. Brailsford’s British cycling team had not qualified for the Olympics for many years. Then, he introduced a novel approach.

He suggested that if his team concentrated on improving by a 1% margin in every aspect of their performance daily, these enhancements would accumulate, providing the competitive advantage they needed.

Brailsford paid attention to details that seemed trivial. He advocated that athletes bring pillows and mattresses to maintain nightly sleep postures. Implementing rigorous hand hygiene, avoiding handshakes, and daily food preparation to prevent sickness were strategies to “avoid marginal losses,” eventually catapulting the team into the Olympics five years later. They achieved overwhelming success there, securing 60% of the gold medals.

This narrative is not unique. Numerous instances demonstrate the efficacy of marginal gains. You can discover several of these examples here:

We apply this principle of marginal gains daily. It manifests in our parenting, career advancement, and quest for improved health and fitness.

Consider weight training as an example. We understand that forgoing “Friday night pizza” for eight weeks will make a difference. It’s not the belief that avoiding pizza will single-handedly resolve all health issues. Instead, we acknowledge that the essence of good health lies in consistent habits—an accumulation of adequate rest, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and effective stress management in our lives.

James Clear has explored marginal gains in his book “Atomic Habits.”

Regarding Brailsford’s philosophy, Clear states:

The foundation of this principle is that by deconstructing every conceivable element involved in cycling and enhancing each by 1%, a significant overall improvement is achieved when these elements are combined.

Why not adopt this philosophy towards addressing climate change? Why not dissect every aspect of modern human existence within a hyper-consumerist society and enhance each by 1%?

Why are countless individuals adamant about persuading us that our efforts are futile? The world, in essence, is akin to one vast organism. We constitute the human super-organism, capable of collective action in ways other species are not. And the Earth embodies a living amalgam of interdependent systems that we know we can influence.

The primary rationale for recognizing the importance of the aggregation of marginal gains is its counterpart, the aggregation of marginal losses, which is precisely how we arrived at our current predicament. A flawless utowasn’t mark our existence until we triggered a climatic catastrophe overnight. From a geological perspective, it appears somewhat akin to this scenario. However, on a human timescale, it occurred gradually, one day at a time, one vehicle at a time, and one acre of rainforest at a time.

This perspective was among the four reasons I believed we wouldn’t see “y” cli “ate change in that article because marginal losses seem harmless. Are you exchanging a handshake? It seems trivial. Are you smoking just one cigarette? There is no cause for alarm. Are you opting for that single flight to the islands? After all, life is short.

Collectively, these actions have led us to our current situation.

And I still uphold this viewpoint — individuals will persist in this behavior, making exceptions and justifications, indulging in that “one” cig” rate until the bitter end. I am guilty of this, too.

But my focus has shifted from “solve” ng” cli” ate change, much less reverse it, to doing all we can to alleviate its most severe impacts. To decelerate its progress, to gain some time. To reduce the global temperature rise by even half a degree. To avert that one flood, heatwave, or wildfire.

To do what’s.

Advancements in science now enable us to link extreme events directly to climate change. However, it might take some time (if it ever occurs) before we possess the scientific capability to appreciate the impact of our contributions fully. I’ve installed solar panels, and according to an app, since they became operational in December, I’ve planted the equivalent of three trees.

Can I accept this information at face value? Can I be sure of its accuracy? I cannot and am not, but that is the point. This is akin to wishing for a panacea. I trust the science behind solar panels.

Like the cyclists, the goal is to minimize marginal losses and strive for gains.

Everyone has a distinct situation in this regard. Depending on their location, financial capacity, and understanding, some may excel in achieving marginal gain A, while others may succeed in areas B or C.

Here’Here’scenario:

I reside in a small rural town. I’m middle class. I possess a solid understanding of climate change and am eager to expand my knowledge. Being self-employed, I can engage in activities that might not be feasible for others.

My actions include:

• We are initiating conversations about climate change within my community. As more individuals become open to discussing it, I aim to steer the dialogue towards local resilience initiatives. How can we support our small farms effectively and optimally prepare for disasters?
• I consume minimal meat, and when I do, I ensure it’s sourced from a local farm, albeit in limited quantities.
• Cultivating a substantial garden, enhancing its yield each year, learning, and improving efficiency. I can now provide for about 20% of my family’s requirements, with excess produce donated locally.
• I’m dedicated to reducing fossil fuel emissions, hence our recent investment in the solar panels I mentioned.

These are significant actions, yet the details are even more nuanced: We enjoy camping by the lakes near our home, yet we don’t have a motorboat; instead, we paddle in canoes. We opt for the eco-friendly choice whenever feasible, from purchasing socks to coffee filters. Our children use reusable water bottles; we eschew purchasing water in plastic bottles, preferring to purify tap water with a filter. Additionally, we halved the quantity of Christmas presents we exchanged this year.

And so on.

Admittedly, not everyone can replicate these actions. Each of us has a unique situation. However, given the vastness of the world, every small contribution accumulates.

I watched a segment about a pizza convention in Las Vegas just yesterday evening. There were attendees clad in pizza-themed attire, alongside individuals performing acrobatics while twirling pizza dough through the air.

The world is so expansive it encompasses acrobats performing with pizza dough.

I also discovered that 350 slices of pizza are consumed every second.

Every single second.

This has elevated mozzarella to the status of the most favored cheese in the country, surpassing cheddar and “Amer” can” che” se.

We are numerous. We are a collective of minor contributions.

I anticipate the critique of skeptics here and receive them warmly. Please pay attention to their likely argument: TJ’s approach is overly simplistic and optimistic, but our challenges are far more significant than bicycling or cheese pizza. And they are correct.

We face formidable challenges. Even if we embrace the notion that marginal improvements can yield tangible results, we’rewe’reronted with significant hurdles: misinformation, disinformation, and sheer ignorance (some individuals need to be more informed about climate change, its connection to fossil fuels, industrial food production, etc.)

And then, there is a profound cultural divide: individuals deny climate change — both the issue and the solutions — due to biased reasoning to align with their socio-political affiliations. In short: Trump supporters.

Yet the rationale remains unshakeable: to do all within our power. Even if BrailBrailsford hadn’t achieved Olympic dominance, their focus on incremental improvements would have enhanced their proficiency in their sport and reduced their susceptibility to illness by mitigating marginal losses.

But they did clinch victory at the Olympics. That’That’sial, too. The future is unpredictable — a stroke of luck might occur. Recall that within weeks of the lockdown during the pandemic, we witnessed EarthEarth’s Remarkable recovery. This period, known as the “and” pause,” fea” ured reduced seismic noise like never before.

Flora and fauna flourished.

Admittedly drastic, yet it showcases the collective impact of humanity.

Labeling the world as beyond saving has become fashionable. And it’s its path of least resistance. Yet, even more lamentable than a stubborn Trump climate change denier is someone who comprehends the issue but has convinced themselves that action is futile.

It’s An all-or-nothing scenario. It’s A binary outcome.

Begin somewhere, anywhere. Because it will instill a sense of satisfaction, and you’ll be encouraged to do even more. The more you engage, the less you’ll be helpless. Act because it’s the correct thing to do, not with the expectation that it will miraculously solve everything.