Reduce or eliminate your consumption of animal products. I think this is the easiest and most impactful step any individual can take. It doesn't rely on politicians or corporations. You just need some temporary will power to learn and change a few habits.

When I needed a new car a few years ago, I passed on my 'dream car' for a more basic car because the flashy car took 50% more fuel.

But in the end, that's small fries. I should be taking the bus to work if I really wanted to reduce my travel carbon footprint.

My house probably produces way more CO2 than my car. Heating/cooling (use a programmable thermostat, wear warm clothes indoors in winter). Lights (I've mostly switched to CFL.. no LEDs yet, until the CFLs start dying). Laundry (use cold water.. new detergents work better in cold water anyway). Water heating (you'll never take my long hot showers from me!!).

There's an interesting view on that here: http://worrydream.com/ClimateChange/

You might be surprised how much of your carbon footprint is accounted for by air travel, even if you only take one commercial flight per year.

In carbon emitted per mile it's about the same as traveling by car. But those airliners cover a lot of miles in one trip.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_transp...]

Do not reproduce, encourage others to not reproduce. The 100% most effective way to reduce the human effect on the planet is to reduce the number of humans on the planet.

But of course if you follow that philosophy that probably just means you lose the evolutionary lottery and someone else will have plenty of children to take your kids' place.