Climate and Environmental Solutions — Nothing more, nothing less.

This episode is the fifth and last in a series focusing on proven and tested approaches resolving not only our climate and multiple environmental crises, but also the attacks on our democratic institutions and ideals. This is going to be critical if we are to any hope of dealing with the breadth and scope of these of these literally earth-shattering challenges for the planet’s living biosystems – including ourselves and our institutions.                                              The Green Elephant in the Room Webpage1.  WHO IS REALLY TO BLAME FOR CLIMATE CHANGE? Many groups have been accused of being at blame for this ongoing lack of action, from fossil fuel companies and wealthy countries, to politicians, rich people, and sometimes even all of us. Whether we label the blame or not, the question of who is responsible for the climate crisis is a necessary one. It will inevitably impact the solutions we propose to fix things.2. SO, DOES CHANGING A LIGHT BULB LEAD TO CHANGING THE WORLD? Individual actions vs. corporate and government action. Who’s keeping the fossil fuel party going? 3. CITIZEN ASSEMBLIES With democracy on the ropes, maybe we should try something new. What if we left it up to ordinary citizens to make the decisions to solve climate change? It has even been successful in Texas!4. CARBON TAX Probably the most effective climate actions we can take. But it’s not popular. Is it because it’s misunderstood?5. CARBON CLUBS/CLIMATE CLUBS  Climate Clubs or Carbon Clubs are small groups of countries that share a strong commitment to climate action and want to work together to achieve a transition to a decarbonized future. Climate treaties and targets, like the Paris Agreement, are not working.  Maybe it’s time for a new, enlightened approach. 6. INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS VS. CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENT ACTION:  Have we been led astray all these decades? 7. WHAT CAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS DO IN THE CLIMATE FIGHT?  Plenty. Our national governments are the only entities that have the financial and regulatory resources to seriously confront the breadth and depth of our environmental enchilada.  The problem — there is a deep distrust of institutions.  The solution — we are the government. Politicians work for us. Yes, everything is twisted and distorted now, but the majority of people want our democracy to survive and function, so we can face the immense challenges barreling towards us. 8. THE TRUE ENVIRONMENTAL HEROES With the federal government in gridlock and failing to act, the good news is many state and local governments are leading the way on climate policy. And most aren’t waiting for a top-down approach—they are not only taking the lead, but they’re also looking beyond slashing emissions, by creating innovative programs to help humans and wildlife adapt to the changes already upon us, and those to come.