Final answer:
Michael Pollan argues that individual actions like gardening and eating locally can combat climate change, improve health, and strengthen community ties.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Michael Pollan's essay 'Why Bother?', he makes several significant claims about individual environmental responsibility and the impact of personal choices on the planet. The first claim Pollan makes is that individual actions, such as gardening and eating locally, can reduce one's carbon footprint and help mitigate climate change. The second claim is that personal choices in our diet and lifestyle can lead to better health and help curb the obesity epidemic. Lastly, Pollan contends that these individual efforts can also foster a greater sense of community and connection to the natural world, as people become more involved in the processes of growing and preparing food. These themes resonate with his other works such as 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' and 'In Defense of Food', where he explores the relationship between humans and food systems.