Super Eco

Photo credit: xymonau, SXC

How did climate change become such an issue? Who's responsible? In a fresh message to the world, Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden points the finger squarely at the United States and other developed nations for not taking steps to control climate change. His proposed solution: boycotting American goods and the American dollar. Reports The New York Times:

"In the message broadcast on Friday, Mr. bin Laden veered away from his traditional vows to inflict death and destruction on the United States, and instead discussed climate change, globalization and monetary policy in a message that he said was directed to 'the whole world.'

He called for a worldwide boycott of American goods and the dollar. He faulted the United States for failing to sign the Kyoto Protocol, which sought to curb global warming by restricting greenhouse gas emissions. And he offered a word of praise for Noam Chomsky, the American linguist and liberal political activist. 'Noam Chomsky was correct when he compared the U.S. policies to those of the Mafia,' Al Jazeera quoted Mr. bin Laden as saying. 'They are the true terrorists and therefore we should refrain from dealing in the U.S. dollar and should try to get rid of this currency as early as possible.'"

Two fresh signs of hope

Ok, so the focus veers off there at the end ... But the Al Qaeda leader is right about one thing: we haven't done enough—yet. And while going cold on the dollar isn't quite the solution the world is searching for, getting hot under the collar about policy still has a chance to prevent a boilover. It's not too late. Two new studies out this week indicate that the planet's boiling point may be farther off than we fear. One study notes that oceans and other sources of carbon dioxide will be slower to release CO2 than previously anticipated. The other discusses the effects of atmospheric water vapor on rising global temperatures. The time is there ... Now all we need are the support and leadership to make solutions happen.