Does it really? Or does it become a panacea to make people feel like they’ve done something when they haven’t?

Perhaps if these non-solutions didn’t exist to appease our fears then there would be more pressure for real solutions.

It becomes moderately better than nothing when “everyone” (not even close to everyone) does it. And there are some decisions (taking fewer/no flights, no fossil-fueled car, etc) that are a lot more effective than others. Personally I try to do my best! But in general, individual actions are dwarfed by systems bigger than them. Even being able to shun cars is only feasible if you live in a city with good public transport, for instance.