Global temperatures are rising at alarming rates, far outstripping natural variances witnessed in the past. Nearly universally, scientists attribute this accelerating warming to man-made causes, specifically greenhouse gases. These come from a variety of sources - burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation, large-scale livestock production, deforestation and more. While one can quibble over details of the science, the downside risks of not taking action are too significant to ignore.

Economic estimates of the requirements to tackle climate issues vary, but are not generally considered prohibitive relative to total global economic capacity. However, the political decisions of who must bear these costs are contentious and the technical challenges of identifying and assessing mitigation responsibilities complex. Efforts to reach a global treaty on climate continue, although the outcomes of the December 2009 Copenhagen meetings leave little cause for optimism for short term political progress.

Given the breadth of the challenge, solutions will need to be multifaceted, and include political and economic policy, both national and global, technological innovation, and corporate and personal changes in behaviors. These will range from pricing carbon to promoting green tech to energy conservation. Building public consciousness around the multi-faceted nature of the climate challenge and the need for bold action will be critical to success.

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