Once the lone province of climate scientists, the chorus warning of the costs of inaction on climate change grows larger daily, from former United States Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who warned Washington this summer of the coming climate bubble, to Desmond Tutu, who has urged institutions to divest from fossil fuels. Even the U.S. Congress, the week before August recess, introduced two big climate-related bills (in the House) and held four hearings on climate change. The tide is clearly shifting.

Financial pressure from the fossil fuel industry, however, has helped ensure that overall the U.S. Congress has done little to confront the challenges of a warming world. The fossil fuel industry spent $536 million on lobbying and donations to the 112th Congress and receives an estimated $37.5 billion annually in U.S. subsidies.

This lobby legacy, and the bias Congress and the administration have given to the fossil fuel industry, is what is ultimately responsible for the lack of inexpensive electric car options or robust grids powered by ample renewable energy options that would allow Americans to take the necessary steps to reduce their carbon footprint.

America’s current electricity demand could easily be met by renewables, yet those resources account for a fraction of electricity generation. Surveys show that most Americans think pursuing solar and wind energy is a wise idea, and 62 percent would pay more for energy if it meant curbing pollution from carbon emissions.

Despite the clear feasibility, and even public support in America for these solutions, little has been done.