The person who can address the following conundrum (in layman’s terms, for our collective benefit) will have discovered the most pragmatic and therefore valuable way to not only explain why climate change is a top-three existential question of our times, but possibly be a catalyst for action and a harbinger of positive change.

If the earth is indeed heating up–i.e., global warming is occurring–is it certain that human activities (comprehensive) are the dominant cause? If so, is it too late to avoid certain doom? If so, can you give us a rough estimate of that doomsday date? If not, please draw up a corrective plan that avoids major economic collapse, does not compromise and possibly even strengthens national defenses, does not further handicap less developed nations (as defined by the United Nations), and increases the quality of life for the overwhelming majority of earth’s inhabitants (human/animal/plant/et al.).