Over to you!
What about you?
Do you feel concerned about the threats from climate change? Are you passionate about the need to reduce carbon emissions?
A good place to start is by making changes in everyday actions that reduce your carbon footprint.
No action you take is too small.
Point 1: It's not too late
It is not too late to fix the climate
To stop climate change from getting worse, we must take action to cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly and adapt to the changes happening now and in the future to limit the damage. The science is clear: we have to act urgently and together. All parts of society and each individual can do their part.
TOP TIP
Leaving a TV or computer on standby mode still uses up some energy. So does plugging in your mobile phone overnight – and even when your charger isn't connected to your phone, it is draining electricity! Switching off and unplugging devices can reduce your house's annual energy costs by as much as 10 %.
Unfortunately, there will be some impacts of climate change that we won’t be able to avoid and we will have to adapt to those, but it’s still important that we limit the scale of future impacts. The good news is that there is a lot we can do. We can all do our part by making smart choices like eating less meat and more locally grown fruit and vegetables, saving energy, and cycling or walking instead of travelling by car (especially for short journeys). The great thing is that many of these actions are also good for our health and our wallets.
Point 2: You can make a difference
We all can!
Read about young people’s concerns about climate change and how they have already started making a difference.
Fighting Climate Change Together: interview with Jonathan from AustriaFighting Climate Change Together: interview with Jonathan from Austria 
Fighting Climate Change Together: interview with Paolo from ItalyFighting Climate Change Together: interview with Paolo from Italy 
Fighting Climate Change Together: interview with Erik from Denmark/SpainFighting Climate Change Together: interview with Erik from Denmark/Spain 
Fighting Climate Change Together: interview with Maja from Slovakia/SloveniaFighting Climate Change Together: interview with Maja from Slovakia/Slovenia 
Fighting Climate Change Together: interview with Raphael from GermanyFighting Climate Change Together: interview with Raphael from Germany 
Fighting Climate Change Together: interview with Carolina from PortugalFighting Climate Change Together: interview with Carolina from Portugal 
Fighting Climate Change Together: interview with Vappu from FinlandFighting Climate Change Together: interview with Vappu from Finland
Over 90 % of Europeans think climate change is a serious problem. What do people in your country think? Find out here: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/citizens/support_en
Point 3: All actions count
No action you take is too small
One way you can make a difference is by making smart choices when you are shopping. Buy less: buy better, spend less – for example, buy one good pair of shoes rather than three cheap pairs.
Buy locally: choosing local fruit and vegetables in season rather than those grown a long way away saves energy used in transport. (But remember, local is not always better carbon-wise, for example if grown in heated greenhouses or with fertilisers made from fossil fuels.)
Be picky about packaging: plastic packaging adds to the waste burden and is not easily recycled. Buy products in recyclable or compostable packaging and take a reusable bag to carry shopping home.
Ready, set, unite!
World unites for climate action
Some countries, including all EU Member States, adopted legally-binding targets to limit greenhouse gas emissions in the years up to 2020, under an agreement called the Kyoto Protocol.
But even with pledges from other countries to take voluntary action, this was not going to be enough to avoid dangerous climate change.
So negotiations were held on a new agreement that would require action by all countries round the world – and on 12 December 2015 in Paris, France, almost 200 governments agreed on the first ever universal, legally- binding deal on climate change.
The historic Paris Agreement sets out an action plan to limit global warming to less than 2 °C above the temperature of pre-industrial times.
Governments also agreed to try to limit the global temperature rise to maximum 1.5 °C, as scientists around the world agreed that this would significantly reduce risks and impacts of climate change.
The Agreement's other key point is to strengthen the ability of countries, especially less developed ones, to deal with impacts that do occur.
But citizens and businesses have an important role to play, too. All round the world, cities and towns, companies, investors and individuals are already taking action to help keep our climate safe and predictable.
Why not turn the climate challenge into a fun competition at school? Ask your teachers about organising a league, in which the most climate-friendly class or group wins a prize.
Here are a few ideas: planting a school garden, litterless lunches, a 'cycle to school' campaign, a book swap.
Did you know that you can recreate the greenhouse effect with just a glass jar and two thermometers?
Speak up!
Why not get involved yourself? You might come up with an idea that could change the future!
Get your arguments ready and join the debate on climate change at school and at home. And if you feel passionate enough, why not start campaigning for climate action?
- Talk about the issues with friends and family and get them involved. You will be able to explain the topics to them in a way that really makes an impact – and showing them how much you care may make them care more, too.
- Encourage your family to make changes at home and in their daily lives.
- Get your parents to check the labels when they buy a new fridge or air-conditioning unit, to make sure they are energy efficient and are not harmful to the ozone layer!
- Find out what climate actions your school is taking.
- Write to mayors, politicians and business leaders to encourage them to take action.
- Check out our materials for young people at: ec.europa.eu/clima/citizens/youth/
- For more climate-friendly tips, visit: ec.europa.eu/clima/citizens/tips/
- Check out our latest films at: youtube.com/EUClimateAction