According to the IPCC, the point of no return for global warming -date when we need to stop the rise in global carbon emissions to prevent irreversable damage- is 2015. Given this is less than a decade, many have decided not to wait for their federal governments to act. Communities like England’s Ashton Hayes is trying to become the first carbon neutral community in the UK.

Communities like England’s Ashton Hayes is trying to become the first carbon neutral community in the UK. The Seattle (Washington) community of Ballard hopes to be the first in the U.S. Launched in 2003, the group Sustainable Ballard has already received notice from Al Gore and interest from other towns.

In this video, we visit a monthly meeting and talk to Washington State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles and group members about giving up their cars, doing the 100-mile-diet and downsizing their homes.