A new BBC poll finds 2 out of 3 respondents from 21 countries including big polluters such as the U.S., India and China believe “major steps starting very soon” need to be taken to combat global warming. Further, 8 in 10 accept that “human activity… is a significant cause of climate change.” What is needed is not simply action, but radical action; policy adequate to save the climatic system and heal the biosphere. This will require massive reductions in energy use and emissions, achievable only by shrinking human populations and total consumption (but more equitable); as well as an end to coal burning, primary forest logging and reductions in aviation. The UN climate change conference [news search] being held in New York is rife with calls for action [news search]; but of the posturing and greenwashing sort. Who will lead, truthfully and wisely?