If we want to reach
net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, we need to drastically change
our life standards. Individuals can give a substantial contribution even without waiting for the
fullest activation of regulatory frameworks : our example shows that reductions of the individual
emissions of about 20% are achievable without a drastic change in their habits . But more sub-
stantial reductions beyond 20% require political decisions and investments that would ‘enable’
them to achieve them. Single individuals constitute a sort of immense “climate innovation agent”,
promoting the ever wider growth and consolidation of a global public sphere, which must be
capable of directing politics towards such cha nges, or, above all, facilitating the acceptance of
measures in this direction and giving voice to systemic and effective criticisms, where such measu-
res which are now widely evident are not or are too weakly adopted. I nstitutions and politics
must sup port them in adopt ing the change s required to achieve net zero emissions
In this essay, it is
first introduced the current state of the Earth's climate (§ 1). Then, the key facts
lead ing to the conclusion that human activities are the main cause of climate change are summa-
rized, and the role that individual choices can lead to a reduction in emissions is analysed (§ 2).
There are several obstacles that must be overcome to reduce the emissions many of a politi cal
nature above all and the essay examines various risks of ineffectiveness that could constellate a
path that is complex and full of old and new difficulties (§ 3). The work carefully examine s some
proposals on the actual advantages that could occur if institutions enable individuals to decide
for a global change in emission behaviour s (§ 4). A multifaceted strategy, aimed at directing the
individual's motivation towards a global change in consumption behaviour and energy saving, can
lead to the require d change (§ 5). Such a strategy requires immediate and effective policy actions
at institutional level, to enable the structural change we need and which the ongoing climate
change, mainly caused by man, requires us to implement
