In the previous two chapters, I sketched out a political agenda for climate: one which acknowledges the severity of the state we are in, while also understanding that the only starting point we have is our current reality. Immense political shifts are needed. The end point has to be a society, and a politics, that has changed beyond recognition – but we are starting with what we have. I have put the case for a different way of doing politics – with more democracy, not less.

In this final chapter, I want to offer some thoughts on what each of us can do, as citizens. We need politicians to lead – but they can't govern in a vacuum. How can people concerned about climate change prod, encourage and challenge politicians and others? In other words, how can you and I be good climate citizens?

Mike Berners-Lee, a friend and colleague and author of some brilliant books on climate, described to me a one-way gate. He says that once you know about the significance of climate change, you have a responsibility to respond. Once you know, you can't forget. There's no way back through that gate. But climate is a big issue, and you are one person. It is hard to know what impact you can have.

When climate hits the headlines, there are invariably a deluge of articles listing all the things people should do differently. They normally involve telling people to switch lights off or use their car less. Recently, there's been more about travel by plane, and diets – and it's certainly true that eating less meat and dairy is good for climate as well as health. But these lists often miss the point. As I discussed in Chapter Three, we are part of a high-carbon system: consumption should not be seen as an individualized pursuit. It's not just what you can do as a consumer.

My research, and my experience of working with politicians, provides a different list. It's not that personal action is not important. But what we consume (or avoid) is only one aspect of who we are. So here are some imperfect, practical, political suggestions.