Killing 2 Birds With 1 Stone: Saving the Economy and Saving the World

While the green battle continues in America, it's important to note that important figures from all over the world are joining the fight.

One of the biggest overseas advocates, Lord Nicholas Stern (a renowned economist and avid environmentalist) has made it no secret that he believes the key to rebuilding the global economy is starting with a sustainable foundation.

Stern remarks that "With billions about to be spent by governments on energy, buildings and transport, it is vital that these public investments do not lock us for many more decades into a costly and unsustainable high-carbon economy... The rich industrialised countries need to show leadership this year by committing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, compared with 1990, and their economic recovery plans need to be consistent with this target."

A significant step to reversing global warming will be to set up a system of measurable (and attainable) goals for emission reduction over the course of the next few decades. 80% by 2050 will be very attainable if we start correcting our course now.

Another voice in the fight against climate change, Lord Chris Smith, noted that "2009 could, I believe, be the year when we radically change some of our economic and social habits, and make a historic shift towards a more sustainable pattern of human activity."

Let's hope that he's right.