Issue 3, July 2005 - There is far greater consensus today that the earth’s climate is changing in dramatic ways and that human activity is a major cause. World leaders discussed climate change at the G8 summit (July 6-8) and acknowledged that it was a "serious and long term challenge," but they failed to come to any binding agreements to limit greenhouse gas emissions. When citizens get involved, however, and demand cleaner energy options, vast strides can be made to ensure a more sustainable future for us all. It’s already happening at the state and local levels across the U.S.

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It is now a widely accepted scientific fact that our climate is changing in alarming and unnatural ways and humans bear a large part of the responsibility for those changes, which are expected to hit the world's poor the hardest. Debate over reducing greenhouse gas emissions has, however, been contentious.

It is becoming clearer that the use of fossil fuels is impacting our changing climate, but political and financial support for these fuels makes it more difficult to wean ourselves off of them. If you think the price of gas is too high, think again.

Despite lack of leadership at a national level, U.S. state and local governments, businesses, NGOs, and individual citizens are taking the initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move towards alternative “clean energy” options.

The United States has vast potential to develop renewable energy sources, and as the world’s top greenhouse gas emitter, the future health of the planet may depend on it. So what’s taking so long?

“Young people often think beyond the boxes of 'business vs. the environment' and know that, in order to really make a difference, the two camps need to merge,” says sustainable business entrepreneur Lockey White.

"As young people, we will lead the way, with our message clear, simple, and united," says SustainUs government liason Joshua Tulkin, commenting on the growing student climate movement.

The best way to take on climate change is to make it profitable to do so, says Worldwatch president Christopher Flavin, urging governments to help renewable energy markets work more efficiently. It's not a pipe dream, he says: "in many markets, wind and bio-energy are already less expensive than fossil fuels."

Two technologies available today, gas-electric hybrid engines and advanced-design wind turbines, could immediately help the U.S. make dramatic cuts in its reliance on fossil fuels, says researcher and environmental guru Lester Brown.

Our unsustainable lifestyle choices are driving climate change (not to mention health and environmental problems and geopolical conflicts), says Jeffrey Barber. It's time to educate ourselves about the politics of energy, and what we can do to consume more responsibly.