What’s The Most Important Thing You Can Do To Fight Global Warming?

I guess I might have said, “Eat less meat,” or “Drive a fuel-efficient car.”

Yet the author of this article makes an excellent point: Talk about it.  Just because our American culture doesn’t make a big deal of out global warming doesn’t mean it’s not, in fact, a big deal.

Most Americans (65%) “rarely or never” discuss climate change with their family and friends, roughly the same fraction (57%) who encounter discussions of the topic less than once per month.

Dealing with climate change is going to be difficult, even on a good day.  In fact, if I were trying to design a problem that would be resistant to solution by the human species, I don’t think I could do better than this one.  It requires a long-term vision, a tenacious effort applied over a long period of time, cooperation among people and groups that appear to have little in common, the perspicacity required to see through the disinformation campaigns of greedy liars, and the willingness to make sacrifices for the good of humankind.  In all candor, we suck at every single one of these.

But let’s not allow these issues to throw cold water on our efforts to preserve a planet that will continue to support a high quality of life on a sustainable basis.  We can do it, but only if we keep the topic alive and in front of us.