Everyone is very interested in what they can do about climate change--now, on the ground, here, today. Even if you are in the humanities, or have talents that are not science, technology engineering or math--I'm realizing you can do many things. Really what this is about is a change in consciousness, a change in the way we encounter the world. there is much discussion about sustainability-- but it should also be 'survivability.' Once you begin to understand that everything that is related to fossil fuels will have to change you begin to see the impact it will have upon our lives. I don't know if anyone has noticed the price of a loaf of bread lately, or eggs. But the prices have risen dramatically in the last year, in the last month. Eggs (free range organic)went from $3.79 in November to $4.29 in February. Real bread is now $4.00 a loaf. This has to do with gradual deprivation that is rising like the sea levels. It illustrates how dependent we are on the fossil fuel infrastructure. So every step you can take away from a dependence on fossil fuels will be a step towards reducing global warming. The science is debatable. One thing that is not is that we have to change our way of life to reflect a new consciousness, a sustainable one--if we are to survive.

What can artists, musicians, the humanities, historians, psychologists, sociologists, etc. do? Direct your energy to learning about the changes we need to make and help spread the word--educate and enlighten yourself and your friends. Direct all that incredible creative and youthful energy towards opening our eyes. The sooner our communities begin to develop sustainable strategies the more likely they will be to survive the change. Institutions such as governments, schools and churches will have the hardest time changing. First world countries with complex infrastructures will also have the hardest time changing. Our hope is in the youth. They must act now using the latest technologies to network and solve the problems they have inherited. Only at a scale addressable by our young people can we change our day to day lives. Many of the exciting strategies for addressing climate change are coming from non-traditional places--groups going around the institutions that are reluctant to give up power. This is the strength of grassroots initiatives.