Just because a solution or technology exists doesn’t mean it’s being used in the right places or the right ways. In fact, thinking about how we implement solutions can be just as important as coming up with the solutions themselves. With a problem as complex and global as climate change, effectively implementing climate action isn’t always easy. One way to figure out what actions are useful is to think in terms of the levers of action. These are types of actions people and organizations can take to promote climate solutions. By working in strategic ways at each lever, we can amplify the impact of our actions.

However, not all actions have the same impact. That’s why it’s important to identify the levers that will actually make change happen. In this article, we’re going to discuss four types of levers: business, government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and individual. All these groups will need to work together to help us solve climate change.

Government levers

Governments are powerful actors when it comes to solving climate change because of the many ways they can drive action. Internationally, governments can come together to set goals that shape the planning, implementation, and evaluation of climate action. The 2015 Paris Agreement, in which countries agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 1.5° Celsius, is an example of the impact of international collaboration between governments. These goals then influence national and local leaders and inform policies that propel the transformations we need.

We see another important example of the strength of the government lever in the way government policy can promote the research and development of climate solutions. We’re going to need a lot of breakthrough technologies to take on the many complex problems of climate change but sometimes a new idea is so risky that private companies are afraid to invest in it. Businesses are primarily driven by profit; governments, however, can take on more financial risk. They can step in during the early stages of development to fund innovations until they are profitable enough for private companies to adopt.

Government also plays an essential role in creating markets for emerging technologies. This can be done by offering financial incentives to companies developing new technologies. As we’ve already said, businesses are driven by earning money, so government tax credits and grants can motivate them to work on innovative technologies. Or, governments can use their power as a consumer. When governments decide that they will only build using green construction materials, or will only buy clean-energy vehicles, they help to stimulate these sectors of the economy. Often, in the process, they reduce the price of these lower-carbon products so companies can follow them.

In many cases, governments can also use their power of regulation. Lots of regulations exist to ensure companies and communities follow basic guidelines—such as building codes and public transportation policies—that can collectively help reduce emissions. Government can also pass laws that require polluting companies to control their emissions.

Can you think of other ways government can make an impact supporting climate solutions?

Business levers

Businesses produce and sell the goods and services we rely on every day so they’re important levers in solving climate change. One of the biggest roles of business is conducting research and development into the new innovations we need. That’s because private businesses can often work faster and be more flexible than governments. Businesses are leading the way in creating innovative solutions for the hardest problems of climate change, in part because they often have highly specialized knowledge and expertise. Plus, because businesses want to maximize profits, they’re motivated to create solutions that can be adopted as quickly and broadly as possible. This is a good thing when it comes to spreading a low-emissions technology.

Making things takes energy, and reducing the amount a company uses, or turning to renewable sources, can make a big difference. In fact, corporations can employ a wide variety of strategies to produce fewer greenhouse gases. For example, they can demand that their suppliers—the companies who send them the raw materials they use to make their finished products—turn to technologies that reduce energy usage or use cleaner energy.

Private businesses can also help drive the demand for low- or zero-carbon products or services in the marketplace. Consumers are becoming more aware of the choices they have when buying products, and many prefer options that are better for the environment. Companies manufacturing low-carbon products may label them as “climate-friendly,” allowing consumers to make choices in favor of more-sustainable options. While many companies are motivated to reduce their carbon emissions and boost their image and sales, some companies take unfair advantage of the growing demand for environmentally friendly products. Greenwashing is the term used to describe what happens when a company exaggerates or falsely claims to be more sustainable than it is. Legitimate efforts to improve business practices can be undermined when companies mislead the public.

What are other ways businesses might help support climate solutions?

NGO levers

Nongovernmental organizations—NGOs—are private organizations that serve public interests at local, national, or international levels. This label includes groups like nonprofits, community-based organizations, and advocacy groups. NGOs like the Sierra Club, Earthjustice, and the Environmental Defense play a crucial role in amplifying the power of other groups to have an impact.

NGOs can have an impact in a number of ways. Some NGOs advocate for government action by advocating for climate policies. They might seek to persuade decision-makers through lobbying, organizing community support, or sharing research. Other NGOs support community-based efforts and help mobilize grassroots movements by connecting them with resources, funding, and other organizations. Still others work to raise public awareness by educating people to help inform decision-making. One of the most important things NGOs do is collaborate with governments and businesses to provide expertise and accountability.

You may have heard of youth-led organizations like the Sunrise Movement and Fridays for Future that are working to promote climate action. These are NGOs, led by young people who are coming together to organize, educate, and drive action to address climate change. NGOs—made up of people of all ages—help link climate solutions to the resources needed to bring them to life.

Individual levers

That brings us back to you—the individual. There are almost 8 billion people in the world today, each with our own carbon footprint. Some people are responsible for the emission of more greenhouse gas than others, of course, and reducing your own emissions can make a difference. You should absolutely try to eat, move, and purchase with climate change in mind. And you should encourage your family and others to think about emissions when choosing what to buy or eat and how to move around in the world. But these aren’t the only ways you can use your power and influence to combat climate change.

So, what else can you do?

You can encourage companies to reduce their climate impact through your power as a consumer. By purchasing low- or zero-carbon products, even if they’re a little bit more expensive, you can also send a message to corporations that climate change is a value you consider when making purchases. And you can hold companies accountable by calling for transparency and accuracy when it comes to reporting their climate impact.

You also have power and influence as a citizen. As a voter or a constituent in a democratic society, you can influence your representatives to make policies that enact climate solutions both locally and globally. You can make phone calls, write letters, and attend public forums to show leaders it’s important to care about climate change. And who knows, you might decide you want to run for office yourself one day!

You can also work to educate others about climate change and how they can have an impact. While it may seem like the actions of one person can’t make a difference in solving a problem as big as climate change, the actions of millions or billions of people will create the change we need.

Can you think of other ways you can work with other people to power-up your individual climate change actions?