Earth’s fragile balance shifting rapidly

O ur home is changing -- unnaturally and much too quickly. The Earth's fragile, life-sustaining balance is shifting due to rapid and massive releases of carbon, dug up from beneath the surface and thrust into the atmosphere at an explosive rate. This sacred balance, as professor David Suzuki so eloquently described it in his book by the same name, is what we depend on to survive and thrive. It is the essence of life as we know it. I suppose not everyone shares my sense of responsibility to future generations, but I can't imagine feeling otherwise.

A recent headline really caught my attention: "Irreversible climate change looms within five years." The story described a key aspect of the International Energy Agency's newly released "2011 World Energy Outlook." The article said that without bold and significant change, "the world will lock itself into an insecure, inefficient and high-carbon energy system" and that "there is still time to act, but despite steps in the right direction the door of opportunity is closing."

What do you think of when you read those words? This is about the most serious issue I can imagine. My reaction is along the lines of, "Wow! What can I do to help prevent that from happening?"

We've had other warnings. Several years ago, scientists said that we had about 10 years to transition to a low-carbon economy. Now it's five. In a few years, it will be zero. We will have permanently passed the point of no return. Will we be the generation who blew the only opportunity to save mankind?

Americans use more energy per capita than just about anyone on the planet. Are we going to get serious about our addiction and do something about it, or allow endless streams of meaningless Kardashian-esqe frivolity to distract us as we consume our way toward oblivion?

Green living is all about honoring and respecting our one true home. It is about honesty and living as if we intend to stay. At this point, I believe that the most important thing each of us can do is to reduce our carbon footprint, deeply and immediately. I'm talking about the most important thing. We must re-evaluate everything we do and then change. From the food we eat, to the trips we take, to the homes we occupy, to the energy we take for granted most of the time -- all of it must be carefully reconsidered and modified. It may be a challenge, but so what? Do you have a better alternative? There is no time left to debate or delay. It is time to act.

There are more and more of us who practice living lighter on the planet every day. I thank those who visited during the recent solar home tour and who are on the same path. We must quickly duplicate these actions a millionfold. I'm struggling here, trying to write something that will spur you to action, but my words seem so inadequate. It is frustrating. Sometimes I want to yell at the top of my lungs. Other times I wish we could simply stand face to face, two people with common interests and destiny, and share the understanding that it's up to us to make the difference and that failure is not an option.

The government won't do it. Corporations won't do it. It's up to us. You. And me. We are the ones who are changing the world. Doesn't it make sense to change it for the good of all? The clock is ticking -- five years and counting.

Steve Rypka is a green living consultant and president of GreenDream Enterprises, a company committed to helping people live lighter on the planet. For more information and links to additional resources relating to this column, or to reach Steve, please visit www.greendream.biz.