A lot of people feel overwhelmed trying to make changes that help the planet. Conservation psychologist Janet Swim, a professor from Pennsylvania State University says people often think their actions won't have enough of an impact to matter. "It's like 'What can I do? It's just me'. " it does matter a lot. "It's just like voting," professor says. "I vote. I'm only one person. That one action is an important action (take). We work together as a collective to do things," she said. And there's the multiplier effect. "Small behaviour matters particularly when (accumulate) across time and across people," Swim said. Household behaviour (actual) can make a substantial difference, (reduce) greenhouse gas emissions, according to researchers from Michigan State University and Vanderbilt University. Most of that potential comes from adopting energy－efficient behaviour. Their research lists the most practical 17 steps each American can take, including carpooling, waterproofing houses and driving fuel－efficient (vehicle). If every American takes these steps, according to these researchers, it (cut) the total US household emissions by 20% over ten years—an amount equal the entire emissions of France.
