This idea that action should be left to individuals is naive to the reality of the societies we live in. One person can do everything within their power, but if no one else is doing anything then it is utterly pointless. Climate change can only be tackled at the national and international level.
And regarding the school strike, I applaud students for standing up for the most serious event facing humanity. Remember, nothing changes without people standing up for what's right in the face of an apathetic and/or compliant society. If they don't stand up for their future, they aren't going to have much of a future.
Nowhere here is naivety at play. Starting to protect the environment yourself is the first step towards raising awareness of an issue that affects the whole world. It has a very practical, lifelike reference when I educate my son not to waste energy or talk to him about his contradictions.
I have, for example, given up flying since 2011. It really could have been very nice holidays overseas and not to regard such a trip as a renunciation, but as a gain is a quantum leap in thought. I made this decision out of a conviction after listening to the German economist Niko Paech and finding that he was right about a lot of things.
The students also have my applause. I see a lot of courageous and proactive people who are committed to environmental interests and cooperation. They are in a minority, but sometimes they make a difference for the majority. A change is always of a gradual nature, we will only be able to solve the problems of earthly resources and consumption globally. But politicians and corporations are also led by people who want to take an example from their own people or from their employees. The wind blows not only from top to bottom but in all directions.