Noted economist Jeremy Rifkin spoke Monday as part of the UW-Madison Distinguished Lecture Series, calling for a young people's revolution to end global climate change.
Rifkin, the author of more than 16 books, drew on scientific research and personal experience as he commented on the future of the environment.
His lecture focused on the idea of human empathy and its role in changing our society. He cited scientific evidence for the existence of an ""empathy gene"" and stated his belief that humans must take advantage of this ability to bring about change.
Decades ago, he said, researchers first found evidence of the gene in many social animals, including humans, which gives the ability to feel another's pain and recognize his or her suffering.
""If we are truly by nature empathic, this is great news,"" said Rifkin, who urged young adults to reach out to their counterparts on other continents and institute a new industrial revolution to eventually end global climate change.
Rifkin said he believes the only sustainable solution lies in reaching a post-carbon era. He said he is encouraged by the new technologies that have emerged in Europe, including rooftop power plants and ""smart"" thermostats.
His goal includes every existing building in the world supplying its own power, and says it is easily attainable.
""Go out in your backyard, you have all the energy you'll ever need,"" he said.
Rifkin said young people should take matters into their own hands and to take action immediately.
""Put this third industrial revolution in place, don't wait until the politicians do it,"" he said. ""Do it yourself in your communities like they do it in Europe.""
Because the real beneficiaries of an energy revolution will be developing countries and the animal kingdom, he said it is important that the motivations come from human empathy.
Rifkin said young people have the ability to change the world and advised them to make it a priority.
""What your generation needs to do is focus. And your mission, I think, is clear. It's a mission to save the human race and our fellow creatures and the biology of the Earth,"" he said.
