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The report by the Earth Policy Institute, Time for Plan B: Cutting Carbon Emissions 80 Percent by 2020 sounds a warning bell to the human race, pointing out that climate change is melting the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets. A melted Greenland ice sheet would cause the sea level to rise 23 feet, and a melted Antarctic ice sheet would add 190 feet to the sea level.

This declaration, crated at a conference most of the world's media ignored, is important because it reflects the position of indigenous peoples of the Earth, and it emphasizes yet again the importantce of dealing with climate and other issues that are hazardous to the biosphere, which makes life viable for humans.

EthicalandGreen.net is a resource for all who seek to translate concerns over the climate and compassion for humanity into real-time changes in their lifestyle. A selection of the top news stories of interest along with a full mashup of what is happening in the green and ethical world, you are sure to find something of interest.

The market for carbon offsets is huge. One website offers to calculate your carbon footprint, then urges you to offset it by donating to the Conservation Fund. Another site tells you that by purchasing offsets, you are fighting climate change.

The fires in Australia are still raging. Parts of the Western U.S. are experiencing the worst droughts on record. It seems Fortune magazine summed it up correctly in a May 2000 article that called water a "precious commodity" in the 21st century. Consider this: less than three percent of the world's water is fresh. Unfortunately, beyond the challenges of a changing climate, three other factors have decreased that small amount of fresh water: pollution, habit degradation, and wetlands destruction. For both humans and their surrounding natural landscape, water conservation is critical.

A number of domestic and international considerations have led many political observers to conclude that the Unites States will take legislative action during the remainder of 2009, or in 2010, to address climate change. The goal of these legislative efforts is to achieve a gradual but significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their earlier levels by the middle of the century. Action in this area would be a watershed regulatory and tax development and would affect all types of businesses in many aspects of their operations.

The operation of buildings in the U.S. accounts for 43 percent of all U.S. carbon emissions, and 76 percent of U.S. electricity use. Every year five billion square feet are built in the U.S., five billion feet are renovated, and 1.75 billion square feet of buildings are demolished. Energy conservation and efficiency improvements in the building sector have the "greatest potential for an effective near-term mitigation wedge for climate change," according to a study cited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

One of the most cost efficient and easiest way to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is to "reduce meat consumption," according to Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, head of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It's a change he says would have more impact than ditching your present wheels for a hybrid car.

Today I attended the opening session of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in NYC. It's my second year attending. In many ways, it's similar to other conferences, with plenary sessions, breakouts, networking, etc. In other ways, it's unique. To begin with, as former President Clinton said in his speech to us, "This is the only conference you'll ever attend where the gift bags are empty." Because CGI provides its members with the chance to give to others. There is a great deal of power at CGI. More than 60 current and former heads of state, 500 business leaders, and 400 leaders from NGOs and philanthropic organizations from 84 countries attend. As at most conferences, the real deal making happens outside of the sessions. What makes this conference different is that the pitching and buying is among NGOs and philanthropists/funders. And the matchmaker between the NGOs and funders is President Clinton and CGI. In fact, one of the great success stories we heard today was Global Give Back Circle. For continuation, go to http://3bl.me/ema6v8