The drumbeat of climate change headlines can feel deafening. Catastrophic floods, unprecedented heat waves, and wildfires are now annual events. For many, this cascade of crises creates a sense of futility. “What’s the point?” people ask. “Aren’t we already doomed?”

The answer, grounded in science, is clear: we are not doomed, and every action still matters.

Every Molecule Counts

When it comes to greenhouse gases, even a single molecule of carbon dioxide (CO2) matters. The science is straightforward: CO2 traps heat in Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Each additional molecule emitted increases this warming, but every molecule avoided reduces it.

Take this example: if the world’s annual CO2 emissions are around 40 billion tons, even a 1% reduction—400 million tons—would equate to keeping 100 million cars off the road for a year. This is not trivial; it’s measurable progress.

Moreover, CO2 persists in the atmosphere for centuries. This means that every ton we don’t emit slows the accumulation of heat-trapping gases and buys us time to transition to cleaner energy sources.

Resilience Saves Lives

The impacts of climate change are already here, but investments in climate resilience can blunt their effects. Coastal wetlands, for example, act as natural buffers, absorbing storm surges and protecting communities. Urban greenery cools cities during heat waves, reducing heat-related deaths.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirms that adaptation measures—building flood defenses, developing drought-resistant crops, and improving disaster response systems—save lives and livelihoods. These efforts don’t just mitigate future impacts; they improve quality of life today.

The Power of Small Wins

It’s easy to feel powerless as individuals, but collective small actions lead to big outcomes. Renewable energy adoption is a prime example. In 2022, wind and solar accounted for 12% of global electricity, up from just 1% two decades ago. This shift didn’t happen overnight or because of a single policy—it was millions of decisions, from governments to households, choosing clean energy over fossil fuels.

Similarly, the electrification of transportation is gaining momentum. Electric vehicles (EVs) now represent over 14% of global car sales. Every EV replaces an internal combustion engine, reducing CO2 emissions over its lifetime.

These shifts show that change is incremental but exponential, and both examples are the result of individual decisions combined with supportive policies and investments. Every choice builds momentum, making the next step easier and more impactful.

The Stakes Are High—But the Future Isn’t Written

Yes, the world is warming. Yes, the challenges are immense. But science is also unequivocal: it’s not too late to limit global warming to manageable levels. While limiting global warming to 1.5C is an increasingly narrow target, every fraction of a degree we prevent matters for ecosystems, economies, and human lives.

The choice before us is not all or nothing. It’s not perfection or failure. It’s progress versus inaction. And progress—however imperfect—is still a victory.

So, when you’re tempted to think it’s too late, remember: every molecule of CO2 that doesn’t enter the atmosphere makes a difference. Every tree planted, every watt of renewable energy generated, every community made more resilient—it all matters.

The planet’s future isn’t written yet. Together, we’re still holding the pen.