1. United States
2. Ky.
3. Letter

The economic system centered on profit-seeking and exploitation of resources is fundamentally incompatible with protecting our planet's climate. It must be replaced with an approach that prioritizes environmental sustainability and the wellbeing of all people over the accumulation of capital. We cannot rely on market-based incentives and the innovation of corporations driven by profits. A complete systemic overhaul is required to rapidly transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources that do not further destabilize the climate. The latest data shows most Americans, especially younger generations, recognize the existential threat of climate change. To survive this crisis, we must build an entirely new economic model not tethered to perpetual growth and corporate interest but firmly rooted in environmental justice, community resilience and respect for ecological limits.