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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a dire warning last week: We need to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and we need to do it fast to avoid catastrophic climate change.

At the current rate, our will be spent in the next 10 to 14 years. We can鈥檛 wait another day to start drastically reducing emissions if we hope to stay below 1.5 degree warming.

In response to the report, articles have  like turning off lights, eating less meat, and recycling. One article advised that, if you can鈥檛 change your commute by walking or taking public transportation, you might .

While personal choices such as investing in renewable energy and eating less meat , it鈥檚 not always that simple. For many of us, putting solar panels on our house, walking to work, or buying a hybrid car aren鈥檛 easy choices.

Emphasizing personal action puts the responsibility on the shoulders of individuals rather than addressing the structures we live in鈥攕uch as capitalist markets that reinforce income inequality and institutionalized racism that propels discrimination. These structures shape our choices, and they鈥檙e what got us into this mess in the first place.

The real change that needs to happen鈥攁nd fast鈥攊s big and structural. Here are three ways to take the bold action that鈥檚 needed to reverse climate change.

1. Fight poverty

There鈥檚 no question that we need to keep fossil fuels in the ground and rapidly shift to renewable energy. But while some people can afford home solar panels or electric cars, these choices are out of reach for others.

Entire neighborhoods lack public transportation, and people working multiple jobs may lack the time to take it. And when it鈥檚 a challenge to pay the heating bill, it may be a luxury to think about investing in weatherization, even if it might ultimately save a few bucks.

Research published earlier this year shows that  of failing to meet emissions reduction targets. If we鈥檙e going to address climate change, we need to address wealth disparity. Without living wages, many people can鈥檛 afford to make climate-friendly choices that are good for the planet and their pocketbooks, too.

And  are often  by climate-related disasters. After the storm hits, it only gets worse鈥攁bout affected by Hurricane Harvey had no savings to help them recover from the damage, and FEMA assistance is anything but certain.

It鈥檚 a vicious cycle where low-income communities are more vulnerable to , which increases the economic stress that only makes it harder to cope with climate change.

By fighting poverty, we can make it possible for people to take action against climate change, while building more resilient communities in the process.

Support campaigns for living wages such as the Fight for $15. Connect with groups fighting for paid leave and affordable child care, like MomsRising. Urge your city council to improve basic services like public transportation and health care for low-income neighborhoods, and include those neighborhoods in disaster response planning discussions. And demand policies that remove barriers to sustainable alternatives鈥攍ike solar panels and hybrids鈥攁nd make them more affordable.

2. Hold corporations accountable

 of global greenhouse gas emissions, so recycling isn鈥檛 going to be enough to keep global warming below catastrophic levels, even if all of your plastic is making it into the right bin. And resources are needed to take recycled plastic and turn it into something usable again.

So, when it comes to what we buy鈥攆rom plastic bottles to burgers to cheap clothes鈥攖he real climate savings won鈥檛 be found downstream at the landfill or recycling center. They鈥檒l be found upstream, with the companies that manufacture these goods in the first place.

If we鈥檙e going to effectively reduce production-related emissions, we need to produce less, and corporations need to be held responsible for their cradle-to-grave carbon footprints.

Demand accountability from corporations for their contribution to climate change by supporting policies that remove  and  that make more sustainable alternatives less competitive. And support local policies that .

3. Disrupt oppression

A study released earlier this year found that . The researchers note that while this trend was apparent during Obama鈥檚 presidency, Trump has further fueled it with rhetoric tying 鈥淲hite grievance and resentment鈥� to climate change and energy policy.

We also see that those who disregard the threat of climate change are the same people who disregard women鈥檚 rights and voices. The nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court was challenged by multiple allegations of sexual assault. It was also challenged for , which .

At the same time, women and communities of color are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. And their voices are often shut out of the conversation. Only 鈥攁nd that鈥檚 down 25 percent from last year. In the entire history of Fortune 500, there have only been . , compared to 62 percent of the U.S. population, and only . And among many environmental groups, senior positions and boardrooms are still .

We can all work to dismantle the structures of oppression and rebuild a society that鈥檚 based on inclusion and equity.

We need to amplify the voices of people of color and women in the climate movement and among politicians making climate change policy. Green 2.0 is helping bring diversity, equity, and inclusion to the forefront of the environmental movement. Demand that your city council  or other sustainability plans, and that it does so by bringing marginalized voices to the table. Vote for local city council or congressional candidates from affected communities and support organizations such as She Should Run and Democracy in Color, which are working to bring equality and representation to all levels of government.