The effects of global warming are evident right now: increasing temperature, floods, tsunamis, and that's just in the region. Now that I am a Mom, I'm thinking far ahead for Jack's future, that he and his children will live long, happy, and healthy lives.

It buoys me to know that companies are starting to jump onto the bandwagon. Yesterday 90 companies released a statement to urge the world's government to exercise immediate action "to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases is essential to preserving the environment and the global economy".

In the Bova future, companies will rule the roost. Right now, they rule the economy. Companies like Volvo, Air France, and General Electric are part of the Global Roundtable on Climate Change. They're keen to participate because they want uniform standards, says Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute.

If different countries and different states have individual rules, they become harder for businesses to follow. One example Sachs cited was that some power companies have wanted to sequester carbon emitted from burning coal, but local laws stipulate that they have to provide the cheapest electricity possible, so they can’t implement new technologies that would raise prices.

Indeed the cost of reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be far less than the cost of the problems caused by the effects of climate change, agree many of the business reps. “The costs are smaller than people fear,” Sachs said. But once again, fear cripples and unfortunately now it is the politicians that make the rules.

One example Sachs cited was that some power companies have wanted to sequester carbon emitted from burning coal, but local laws stipulate that they have to provide the cheapest electricity possible, so they can’t implement new technologies that would raise prices.

What can we do? Companies can endorse the statement here and citizens of the world can sign here.

Tags: global warming, climate change