The leaders of the G8 nations this week pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.  They also agreed to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.  All they need to do now is figure out how to do it.

These are worthy goals but meaningless to most people.  Achieving these goals will require significant change in the global energy regime, which in turn will necessitate people the world over to change their energy consumption habits.  Getting people to make the requisite sacrifices will not be easy.

In order to make these aspirations a reality leaders need to stop talking about abstract numbers and targets and relate to the average person how our current energy habits are unsustainable and how change is achievable.  Leaders need to make viable plans and start engaging the public.