What Sort Of World Do You Want Your Kids To Inherit?

Seems like John and Elizabeth Edwards have put some thought into this question. In an e-mail announcement today, the Edwards campaign calls on everyone to put up or shut up.

In the effort to stop global warming, each of us has extraordinary power to make a difference—if we choose to use it.

We can use our voice to push for national change.

But we can—and we must—also make personal choices to reduce carbon emissions in our daily lives. It's amazing how much immediate impact we can each have just by making a few simple changes.

The Edwards campaign launched a website where visitors can take the first steps to adopting climate-friendly behaviors. You can find out how many pounds of carbon you can personally conserve through simple personal choices, and then take the pledge to make good on those choices in the coming year. It's also a cool way to share this information and build commitment from family and friends who are looking to make a difference beyond just lip service. And a great place where families can show their kids how individual actions matter.

I'm usually a harsh skeptic of pledge-based campaigns, but this is one that doesn't just ask you to check off boxes and join your name to a list. By now you should know what you need to be doing to reduce your carbon footprint. It's how you use that knowledge, the actions you take, and the examples you set for your kids that matter. I think one set of parents has clearly demonstrated that today.