I think a meaningful combination of sustainable choices and being involved in climate change policies is the most impactful way an individual can combat climate change. Making sustainable choices includes but is not exclusive to having reusable bags when you go shopping, buying products with less waste, being conscious about how much water I am using, or reducing the amount of individual (your own car) transportation you make. Multiple recycling facilities do not accept plastic bags so it is important to seek alternatives, and if I am using a plastic bag I try to reuse it in the trash can or another way. I would like to point out that buying products with less waste should also include making less waste. How much packaging is on this product? Will I be using it (all of it)? This is not only a financially conscious approach but it reduces food, plastic, and greasy paper waste. Using cold water in the laundry can reduce the amount of water used. Taking 'military showers', that is the term I have always heard it called, where you turn the water off if you don't need it on. Military showers become more difficult in the wintertime, however, knowing I am making more environmentally friendly choices is fulfilling. Transportation is one of the leading polluters in the United States for the climate. I try to condense and limit trips I make if public transportation is not an option, the location is not within walking distance, and I can't bike there. That being said, not everyone can afford to make these sustainable decisions. There is a lot of judgment around how sustainable someone is, and it creates a difficult situation when I try to encourage my friends to be more environmentally conscious. Being involved in climate change policies is vital because we need to see change. It should go hand in hand with being sustainable, think of athletes on a cereal box, if the representative is not a great match it will not do well. In this case, if the individual is not striving to make their own life more sustainable how can others believe and support their agenda for stronger policies on climate change? I strive to fight climate change not only through making sustainable decisions but I am also by majoring in environmental studies, with a deep focus on science, at Luther College. Multiple classes cover how sustainability can come into play with different environmental issues (water, biodiversity, climate, etc.). For climate change, I think everything we can do is important to take note of. I plan to work in either air or water sciences. Not only as an environmental studies major but as someone who doesn't want to see this planet decline, I read articles and studies done in or around environmental studies.