A successful response to climate change needs vast investments in low-carbon research, energy, and sustainable development. Governments can drive research, provide environmental regulation, and accelerate global development, but the necessary low-carbon investments of 2-3% GDP have yet to materialise. A new strategy to tackle climate change through consumer and government action is outlined. It relies on ethical investments for sustainable development and low-carbon energy, and a voluntarily financed low-carbon fund for adaptation to climate change. Together these enable a global response through individual actions and investments. With OECD savings exceeding 5% of disposable household income, ethical savings alone have considerable potential.