What We Can Do

“What We Can Do” offers a refreshingly optimistic and pragmatic roadmap for individual and collective action on climate change. Charlie Sellars, drawing on his role as Director of Sustainability at Microsoft argues that everyone has the ability to make meaningful environmental impacts—whether in personal habits, careers, or civic engagement. The book’s central message is empowering: while no one can do everything, everybody can do something.

Sellars introduces the “Make It, Move It, Lose It, Use It” framework, a science‑based method for readers to assess and maximize their sustainability in everyday choices. This structure helps individuals examine the life cycles of what they consume, travel, discard, and employ, encouraging more informed and impactful decisions.

Beyond personal habits, the book also explores how to integrate sustainability into professional life. Sellars extends the invitation: any job can be a climate job, no matter your industry or role. He illustrates this through examples from his work at Microsoft, like developing devices with repairable and recycled components and supporting products such as an ocean‑plastic mouse. His experience underscores how even routine careers can become vehicles for environmental progress.

Moreover, Sellars highlights the power of civic and community engagement. He encourages readers to leverage their voice—from voting ballots to local activism as a tool for climate action. The book includes data-backed strategies and real-world insights to help readers move from climate anxiety to empowered, collective action. It’s both a motivational and practical guide designed to galvanize recent graduates, professionals, and everyday citizens to take ownership of their planet’s future.