There is little time remaining to change the course of a warming climate and despite the pronouncements made at international conferences, it is time to realize that governments - at least those most responsible - will do little to change the trend.
This is not necessarily because the governments don't want to do anything - it is, and this is an uncomfortable truth, their citizens are unwilling to accept the necessary, painful changes in activities that are required. That's you. Not the government. We need to dis-enthrall ourselves of the notion that the governments of China, Russia, India or the United States have the will, vision or political strength to do what needs to be done. And that's because their citizens are not willing to absorb the impact of the major economic changes that would take place. Period.
Let's be realistic for once. To change consumer habits, alter lifestyles and adjust attitudes is not going to happen by the actions of any government. It is you. It is a ground up effort and we should recognize that it can mitigate the trends toward climate change and require adaptation. So, act locally. It is a truism - but that is why it is a truism, because it is a fact.
We will write a series of essays of what you can do locally. It is not going to be easy, but then - it never was.