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Addressing the issue of climate change effectively means making a difference to the way society is organised - and bringing about change on at least two levels of society. We need changes on a micro level (I'm referring to individual changes in behaviour) but we also need macro level change (I'm talking about changes in governmental policy as well as improvements in inter-governmental policy). We must aim for both of these things. One without the other will not solve the problem.

I'm not going to insult readers' intelligence - and explain how serious the effects of more rapid and more serious climate change could be. There is more than enough scientific evidence available on this point. We need look no further than the IPCC - the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Even the sceptics must now return to the Precautionary Principle to guide their actions in the societies in which they live. This principle advises us not to do something unless we can be absolutely certain it will not cause harm.

Action can be taken right now by every reader and every person on this planet. People can make the problem person-sized and do whatever is within their means to avoid further risk of damage and destruction to our global communities. What people will and can do - will vary according to their situation in life. And there is lots of help out there for people who are ready to make a contribution. On a micro level - a good place to start is reducing your household carbon emissions. You may not know how much carbon you are currently producing. So a good place to start is to check out a carbon footprint calculator, there are literally hundreds of them on the internet and you can usually find one produced by your local government authority or crafted by an environmentally conscious organisation in your region.

Like many of us, you may be facing economic difficulties with the recession. But on a positive note, you might also find that starting to live more simply and making the best of the resources you DO have is empowering. What they call the 'transition' movement is sweeping the globe right now, and it is one way to get together with fellow citizens who are also trying to reduce their carbon footprint. Transition movements are a framework for community support with projects as varied as growing food organically or setting up a car club. There's a reason why the President of the United States has set up an organic garden at the White House. It's an important signal that tells us 'growing your own' can be part of the solution.

On a macro level, (I'm referrring now to national and international politics which includes environmental and economic policy making) 'we' as concerned citizens still need to keep up the pressure on our elected representatives to bring about alternatives to our oil-based economies.

There are few people who haven't seen the film 'An inconvenient Truth' - spearheaded by Al Gore. But there's now another, important initiative from the Gore stable which acknowledges how America faces unprecedented economic, environmental and national security challenges and the fact that new jobs, stable energy prices, and freedom from dirty fossil fuels and global warming pollution are urgently needed.

The plan is called 'Repower America' and aims to achieve 100 per cent clean electricity within ten years. This would mean replacing coal and foreign oil with clean domestic sources and is described as 'a vital step toward protecting the environment and solving the climate crisis'. Signing up for the 'Repower America' initiative is one way of keeping up the pressure on our elected representatives and persuading them to take constructive action.

President Barack Obama commented on the plan in 2008, saying: "I strongly agree with Vice President Gore that we cannot drill our way to energy independence, but must fast-track investments in renewable sources of energy like solar power, wind power and advanced biofuels, and those are the investments I will make as President."

Learn more about this author, Frances Laing.
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