Getting the US moving on taking action to address the global climate crisis is going to have to require political and legal action. The rapid increase in greenhouse gases, CO2 is now over 400ppm, together with the current built-in temperature rise has reached a crisis level. Add to that the fact that the hockey-stick graph of CO2 and global temperatures is not showing any significant sign of leveling off, we can now expect a catastrophic future.

This especially effects the young adults of the world who will live well into the second half of this century and their children and grandchildren that will live well into the 22nd century.

We have reached the point where we will have to seriously consider carbon sequestration, that is negative carbon emissions, in addition to phasing out the use of fossil fuels. Taking carbon out of the atmosphere is going to be very difficult and expensive, on the order of 100s of Trillions of dollars.

Twenty one young people filed suit against the Federal Government for not taking action against the fossil fuel companies. This suit was filed in US District Court in 2015. The government petitioned to have it discharged. On November 10, 2016 Judge Aiken issued this opinion and order:

“Exercising my ‘reasoned judgment,’ I have no doubt that the right to a climate system capable of sustaining human life is fundamental to a free and ordered society.” –U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken

The government's motion was denied.

Jim Hansen's granddaughter, Sophie Kivlehan, 17, was one of the plaintiffs.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYgy97Lm4AY]

This is worth watching. Check out what she says at 5:39. Prepare to have your socks blown off.

Also more of her and Jim's work here:

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g51gUpduZmg]

I met many young people at the Climate Rally at the Boston Commons last Ssaturday. They are interested, engaged and motivated. We have to help them.