The world's scientists are in agreement - the planet has human activity to thank for the looming climate change crisis. To avert an unstoppable catastrophe with environmental and economic ramifications, we need substantial action on all fronts within the next ten years.

So what do we do now? We take our cue from Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his work against apartheid. Exclaiming 'the end of apartheid stands as one of the crowning accomplishments of the past century," Tutu credits international pressure, and in particular, the divestment movement of the 1980's for helping end the racist regime of the South African government.

The divestment movement changed the course of history, and we can do the same. Founded on the notion that purchase-equals-power, this broad-based movement encouraged Americans from all corners of the country to steer clear of companies doing business with South Africa. This campaign engaged college campuses and corporate campuses, Main Street and Wall Street-and it succeeded in ending apartheid in South Africa.

This is the inspiration for a new project we've launch to mobilize everyday consumers as critical activists in the fight against global warming. Climate Counts is a non-profit campaign that scores companies annually on the basis of their voluntary action to reverse climate change. The new Climate Counts Company Scorecard -- launched in June 2007 -- helps people make climate-conscious purchasing and investing choices and encourages them to urge the world's most well-known companies to take action on climate change. It's about choices and voices. Your informed choices combined with your clear and determined voices send a message to companies that climate really does count - for people all over this country and the world.

Businesses care what consumers care about.and politicians and government listen to business. The world as we know it can transform. Please visit http://www.ClimateCounts.org to track the world's companies and find out whether the companies you buy from are taking climate change seriously.

Wood Turner (Climate Counts Project Director) and the ClimateCounts.org team.