Despite objections from certain political figures, there is scientific consensus that the rising of temperatures across the globe, as well as the rise in extreme weather events — such as heat waves, wildfires, heavy downpours, and strong hurricanes — are a result of human activities.

In fact, the earth’s climate is changing at unprecedented rates, such that perhaps in our lifetime, we will have to adapt to new climate conditions. Time is truly running out, and if we as a society fail to act and take appropriate steps, we will further damage the planet and create a devastating world for the next generation.

Thankfully, there are some current policies that are helping, such as the 1970 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), This act requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. NEPA makes decisions on permit applications, adopts federal land management actions, and oversees the construction of highways and other publicly owned facilities.

With the NEPA model, agencies like the President’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) can evaluate the environmental and related social and economic effects of their proposed actions. Best of all, these agencies have provided the opportunities for public reviews and comments on their published evaluations of trade policies. Additionally, the U.S. Department of State is responsible for implementing trade and environmental protection, and 13 out of 14 trade agreements carry an environmental chapter.

However, since Donald Trump began his presidency, he has taken some actions that experts argue have led us in the wrong direction in terms of mitigating climate change. For instance, the Keystone XL pipeline, which was blocked by former President Obama but has since been approved by Trump, will facilitate the transportation of dirty tar sand fuels, adding 27.4 million tons of global warming pollution into the atmosphere every year.

Thankfully, however, there are still other areas where environmental activists can pressure lawmakers to adopt more climate-friendly policies. One example is right here in New York with the proposed adoption of solar hot water heating.

A 2011 news release reported that solar hot water heating could potentially cut New York’s global warming pollution in the equivalent of removing 614,000 cars off the streets. This astonishing cleaner energy method could save Americans $9.9 billion annually in energy bills, saving customer’s 3.2% and businesses 1.6% of their current expenditures. Homeowners and businesses would also become “sheltered” from the risks of unstable rises and falls of fossil fuel energy prices. In addition to increasing America’s energy security it would also create about 40,000 jobs, the approximate size of Amazon.

Another solution would be to stop making it free to emit carbon dioxide. Once carbon emissions carry a price, energy will be used more efficiently and effectively and some experts even predict that sources of energy, like solar panels, that do not emit carbon dioxide, would become more economically priced. These technologies, such as solar panels and windmills, already exist but effective implementation of policies need to see them in effect.

It is crucial to address climate change as the global community continues to face tremendous catastrophes, such as more frequent and record-breaking powerful hurricanes like Harvey, Irma, and Maria, as well as devastating forest fires across the country. If we fail to act, if we fail to participate and pressure our elected officials in creating state plans for environmental protection laws, we will hand over an incredibly dangerous world to our next generation.