The scientific consensus is clear and unambiguous: the world is heating up, human activity (fossil fuel combustion,
deforestation, industrial agriculture, etc.) is responsible for most of the warming, and the result could be a radically changed planet significantly less hospitable to human societies by the end of this century. Action is needed at all levels, from the international to the individual, in response.
A relative handful of naysayers remains, but the best available science 
indicates that to avoid catastrophic climate destabilization, we must begin rapidly reducing the rate at which greenhouse gases (GHGs, most notably the carbon dioxide released by fossil fuel combustion) are pumped into the atmosphere, and reduce worldwide emissions by about 80% by mid-century. The scientific evidence is so overwhelming, and the consequences for inaction so grave, that every industrial nation in the world besides the US has committed to lowering emissions of GHGs.
The US, with less than 5% of the world’s population, accounts for 25% of global GHG emissions, so would seem to have a special responsibility to lead efforts to combat global climate destabilization. Tragically, this hasn’t been the case to date. However, it is heartening that all three of the remaining major candidates for the US presidency have pledged to work for international and federal GHG emission reduction policies if elected.
At the state level, the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007, which was passed nearly unanimously by the Legislature with the strong support of Governor Pawlenty, called for, among other things, the science-based 80% GHG reduction by 2050 for the state of Minnesota. A state Climate Advisory Group was created and charged with developing strategies for meeting that goal.
Right here in River City, the Northfield City Council committed in 2005 to participation in the international Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. An inventory establishing baseline GHG emissions has been completed, which found the following major contributors to the community’s total emissions: electricity, 50.5%; natural gas, 21.5%; gasoline, 19.1%; and diesel fuel, 7.5%. 
The City Council created the Northfield Energy Task Force in May 2007 to assess opportunities to wean the community off fossil fuels in an economically beneficial manner, set targets for GHG emissions reductions, and develop an action plan to meet the targets. The Task Force will be holding a community update/input meeting on March 19th, and will be submitting its report to the City Council on June 2nd.
Serious GHG emission reduction policies are needed at all these levels. More importantly, serious action is required to tangibly reduce GHG emissions at all levels, from the individual to the international. With a problem so global in nature, what can one person do?
- First and foremost, reduce your personal “carbon footprint.†To do otherwise in 2008 is morally indefensible. Get a low-cost home energy audit, implement the recommendations from the audit, reduce your transportation fuel use, and eat more local food for starters. In general, THINK about how you use energy—innumerable small, everyday acts can add up to a major difference.
- Encourage the City Council to adopt the recommendations of the Northfield Energy Task Force, and engage in efforts to move Northfield toward a low-carbon future.
- Let your local, state and federal representatives know that you expect serious action to address global climate instability, and that you will vote accordingly.
Global climate destabilization is a huge problem, international in scope. Addressing it in a way that leaves the planet able to sustain future generations is a responsibility we must take on at home, in our businesses and institutions, and at all levels of government. The hour is very late; the time to act is now.