When the challenges are so global, and each one of us so small, it can be tempting, but wrong, to think that there is nothing an individual can do to help humans to get a grip. To do so is a cop out. It is one form of human denial of the Anthropocene challenge. The global and systemic nature of our situation does have huge implications for the roles of individuals, organisations and even states. It is true that systemic adjustments can completely undo the direct benefits of many piecemeal actions. So, we need to see everything we do as part of a bigger game.