Unintended consequences

Maniates makes a decent argument that people need to do more than the simple things such as recycling and turning off the lights to make any progress in rolling back global warming rather than just delaying the inevitable downfall. I know he was not trying to discourage any of these individual activities, yet after reading the article, I couldn't avoid the thought, "well then why do I bother going out of my way to do the little things if they are not going to make a difference". I feel that Maniates article has the potential to backfire. For many people, like myself, conserving energy, resources, etc. is merely an afterthought I go through with because sometimes I remember to feel guilty about all the energy I go through in a day. However, if someone was to tell me that sacrificing a few minutes in the shower or running back in to turn the light off wasn't actually making a difference, I would simply stop inconveniencing myself and would cease to do such things. Maniates tone in the paper seems to belittle such actions and tempts me to stop bothering with them. His point that it will take bigger changes from cooporations and governments could not be more true and definitely needs to be said but I believe that he should do so without trivialiving the little things.