Thomas Friedman’s latest work, Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution and How It Can Renew America, lays it out clearly:  It is time for a change.  His phrase is “Change your leaders, not your light bulbs”, his point being that individual changes only take us so far, and we need the systems to change asap.  (I say, if you can do both, all the better.)  With only 40 days left until the Presidential election, the moment to get informed and spread the word about how each candidate will deal with global warming and other environmental issues is now.   Here are a few clicks to kick start that process:

1. Listen to the ever brilliant Terry Gross interview Thomas Friedman from September 8, 2008.  Super smart Friedman peers into the future and explains how developing “energy from heaven” - meaning solar and wind, opposed to “energy from hell” - you can guess what he’s referring to there, will wean us off foreign oil and open up whole new sectors of the economy, IF we take the greener path.  He also tells you which presidential candidate has voted in favor of extending the renewable energy tax credits - which now look like they may expire on December 31, 2008, and who repeatedly was a no show in the Senate when the bill came to the floor - EIGHT TIMES.  Fresh Air podcasts make it easy to take it with you, and listen on the go.
2. Check out the League of Conservation Voters site to see environmental scorecards on the candidates and a chilling video of McCain receiving a one minute standing ovation by oil execs.
3. See how your representatives answered the questions on the environmental survey at Candid Answers.org - and invite them to take it, if they haven’t done it already.
4. Watch the first debate this Friday September 26, 2008, starting at 9pm eastern time.  Obama’s official website encourages visitors to Host or Attend a Debate Watch Party, if you’d like some company.
5. And if you haven’t gotten around to it yet, be sure to register to vote.  The Federal Election Commission leads you to a National Mail Voter Registration Form with instructions particular to each state.  Or look up voter registration for your own state.  November 4, 2008 will be here before you know it and we will live with the consequences of that day for a long time.