I would like to underline that the theory of climate change can no longer be dismissed. Sure, it was a harsh winter across Canada, but that doesn't tell us anything.

Practically no credible scientist still disputes the basic situation: the world is getting warmer and carbon emissions are having a significant impact.

The ice is melting. If it wasn't, we wouldn't be presently involved in a heated dispute with the United States over the ownership of the Northwest Passage. Ocean temperatures and water levels are steadily rising. As long as that ice does remain frozen, it reflects most of the sun's rays back out into space. But once it melts, much of the sun's energy is, instead, absorbed by the water, resulting in warmer water and even more melting. At some point, it will be very difficult to reverse this vicious circle.

If Al Gore and David Suzuki leave you cold, try somebody new. Elizabeth Kolbert, well-known author and journalist, remarks, "People think, 'I won't have to go to Florida anymore. Florida will come to me.'  People should realize that warmth doesn't mean Florida. It means New York is underwater. It may be that certain places like Siberia are more comfy, but it also means that they have no water."  

Paul Hawken, the noted author and environmentalist, says in his recent book, Blessed Unrest, "If you look at the science that describes what is happening on Earth today and aren't pessimistic, you don't have the correct data". But, he swiftly adds, "If you meet the people [in the social movement for change] and aren't optimistic, you haven't got a heart."

Lester Brown, founder of the Worldwatch Institute, believes that "we can build an economy that does not destroy its natural support systems, a global community where the basic needs of all the earth's people are satisfied, and a world that will allow us to think of ourselves as civilized."

Climate change is real and denial will not help. But neither will panic, nor despair. You are responsible for facing up to this and for learning how to deal with the problem. Growing numbers of people have already digested the bad news and they are rolling up their sleeves and working to find solutions.

Optimism is a pleasant state of mind, but it's pretty much useless unless accompanied by action.

What are you going to do, today, to help to ensure that the ice stays frozen, that the cities don't get flooded, and that there are still polar bears living wild and free, seven human generations from now?