The November 1, 2014 Synthesis Report for Policymakers of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) leaves no doubt that climate change is real, caused by human action, and that time is running out for our illustrious leaders to take action commensurate with the scope and gravity of the monstrous catastrophe that, in one way or another, we’re all guilty of having unleashed. Legions of scientists in a multitude of disciplines have carefully dissected the problem, and the vast majority agree, backed by much irrefutable evidence, that the technology already exists to halt global warming.

To succeed, nothing less than drastic, fundamental and expensive changes will be required. There is no easy way out, only difficult choices. For that reason, we can only hope that the righteous among them will carry the day as they muster the willpower and courage to take the unenviable and unavoidable career-threatening risks should they choose to confront the determined opposition of a powerful few.