What

This campaign will fund the writing of a series of articles during 2015 on the biggest challenge facing humanity today: the growing possibility that climate change, and the extreme weather it has already begun causing, will destroy our economies and societies -- all of them! -- sometime during this century. In our lifetimes. In our children's lifetimes.

That science is certain and without refute. This is coming. Make no doubt. Unless we do something about it. FAST, since the world's top climate scientists assure we only have another 10-15 years to reverse carbon emissions and give ourselves a fighting chance.

At year-end, the articles will become an ebook -- later a regular book -- and upon publication, we -- you, me and a whole bunch of people -- will launch Be The Hope, an exciting movement to spread the word and change the world.

This is a project I've been putting off for far too long, hoping other initiatives and solutions would work. But they haven't. So after 28 years in communications -- writer and journalist, and in public relations, marketing and advertising -- and green -- Sustainability and Corporate Affairs VP at two banks, plus founder of a green-marketing agency and active in climate-related organizations -- and with my kids now grown, I've decided to launch. For more on me, see my profile here.

Why

Much has been written on this subject, and many movements have spawned. But there is one huge angle missing. One really big story remains untold. The ONLY way to solve climate change at this late stage is to trigger a massive and sudden social tipping point, instead of the gradual technologies and strategies being pursued by companies, cities and countries.

Today, large majorities believe climate change is happening, but only a minority is taking action and alerting friends, workmates and loved ones. The key to tipping this balance in the other direction is to ignite believers and equip them with the tools they need to persuade their inner circles of trust and influence. This is the fundamental social science of changing behavior. For more info, see my columns and posts here.

How

We all know this happens across digital social networks, but did you know that our center of social gravity remains face-to-face engagement? Still takes place in the neighborhood? Where we actually live, work, play and breathe?

That will be the essence of The Hypergreen Neighborhood. Please open the link to learn more and review the chapters, the marketing plan, my own background, and what sets this message apart from all others. We can also meet and engage in my social pages: Linkedin, Google+ and Twitter.

Given the slow pace of progress in solving the climate crisis, this is our last best hope, which makes The Hypergreen Neighborhood the one indispensable guide to get us there from here, and Be The Hope the one indispensable movement to take that message and make sure it spreads at hyperspeed into every neighborhood in every city in every country in the world.

Please. Give. NOW.

Your generous gift will help me cover the costs of researching, writing and editing the stories/chapters, particularly the various trips I must take to engage neighborhood leaders and report on what it will take to trigger the tipping point where it's most needed. Companies are a huge part of this, as well, since their products and brands can change behavior in those neighborhoods at a rapid and massive scale. The stories are exciting, as is the future they will help bring about.

But I can't bring these stories and the book to the world, and give those leaders the tools they need, without your help TODAY. Crowdfunding is all about adding up many donations, small and not so small, to end up with the sum needed to get the job done.

So please give as generously as you can, and during the year, let's stay in touch and engaged. We're building a local and global COMMUNITY, not just writing a book.

Time is running far too short. Upon us is the fierce urgency of now, as Dr. King once said of a different challenge.

This time, it's climate change. We can defeat it and usher in a new era of prosperity, community and solidarity. It is the vision that drives us, as does the fact that we have no other choice. We MUST defeat it. Or it will defeat us.

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My two angels

Meet Maydi (22) and Carlos (19), a huge reason for me to do this. At some point, they will ask why, and I want them to know I did everything in my power to secure a livable society free of climate change -- for them, for you, for yours.