With today’s climate change strike protests by young people (who have the most to lose) across the world the question arises, did the world miss its best chance to unleash a “green” revolution? Back in late 2008 and early 2009, when the world was experiencing the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s, former World Bank Chairman Nicholas Stern stated, “the economic case for tackling the global climate crisis is more compelling than ever” [1] since downturns and disasters often provide unexpected opportunities for innovation and change.

Back then when interest rates were negative significantly lowering the cost of innovative research and development opportunities and banking systems around the world were given incentives to inject substantial amounts of cash to initiate economic recovery, the perfect opportunity to create a new reality that utilized clean, renewable sources of energy, existed. There were no borders since South America, Asia and Africa also suffered the effects of the September 2008 economic collapse.

Now with much of the world experiencing economic prosperity, the United States a leading energy producer, China focused on geopolitical domination of the Pacific region and beyond, the accelerating destruction of the Amazon rainforest, a sharp split over the urgency of addressing climate change with Western Europe and the United States and Canada on one side and South America, Asia and Africa on the other, and unrealistic suggestions being thrown around such as eliminating air travel and building super bridges that span oceans, a green revolution seems unlikely and out of reach.

Today’s youth are correct to display their concern for the planet since debating anthropogenic responsibility is not important compared to addressing climate change; it is a fact, the Earth is warming and CO2 levels now exceed 415.0 PPM threatening to accelerate the mass extinction event that has already begun and could imperil humans in the process.

While it is not too late to create an a new global reality based on clean, renewable energy such as hydrogen, solar, wave, wind and geothermal power – firm, realistic and achievable steps must be taken with every country being treated the same since no nation can separate and extricate itself from the one planet Earth. Such steps may include but are not limited to:

1. Undertaking a collaborative effort like the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb (1939-1945) and Kennedy’s commitment to put a man on the moon (1962-1969) with government investment.

2. Lifting trade barriers to permit the rapid spread of low-carbon technologies based on energy efficiency, ecological ergonomics and carbon capture and storage (CCS) abilities.

3. Enacting global treaties where every country must adhere to the same standard.

4. Creating a carbon-trading system where international “policymakers… cap maximum allowable” CO2 emissions “over a specified period of time… [and] create allowances that correspond to the cap and are held by each country. [Countries] that emit significant amounts of CO2 would be required to… buy additional allowances to cover their CO2 emissions in excess of what is permitted” and could sell their allowances to other [countries] if they emit less CO2 than is covered by their allowances.[2] This would provide a powerful incentive for developing countries to meet their respective obligations for carbon print reduction through investment in CCS technologies and limitation of fossil fuel use. Otherwise they would have to use precious resources to purchase additional allowances to maintain irresponsible practices.

5. Energy conservation and protection of the world’s eco treasures (e.g. rainforests and other natural habitats).

6. Maximizing efficiency standards, building apartments and houses close together, upgrading dwellings and offices upgraded to conserve energy, using LED or perhaps genetically engineered bioluminescent plant-source lighting, redesigning the public transportation infrastructure into and efficient and cost-effective incentive that encourages use of mass transit and creating vehicle-free zones.

7. Reducing pollution and use of non-biodegradable materials such as plastics.

Yet even though according to Climate Action tracker and Climate Mobilization.org only 1% of the world’s countries are in compliance with the standards set by the Paris Accord and local, regional, and federal governments only in Western European nations, Canada and the United States recognize a “climate emergency” exists, it is not too late based on the growing unity of global youth regarding climate change (young protesters in Kenya and South Africa could teach their leaders something), today’s cost competitiveness of solar energy and the inroads of HyperSolar, Inc. in mimicking photosynthesis to create hydrogen from sunlight and water having made significant advances with membrane (essential for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen molecules) stability – a development that could finally lead to the establishment of a hydrogen fueling infrastructure (converting gas stations into hydrogen fueling stations that would utilize solar panels to convert water into hydrogen for interchangeable fuel cells or liquid hydrogen fuel) for hydrogen-powered vehicles, include airplanes that would emit eco-friendly water vapor as exhaust.

A “green” revolution when based on realism is still achievable and in the world’s best interest. Not only would it lead to a healthier, cleaner planet but also real economic growth through innovation, technological advancement and significant job opportunities.