Change requires change

It goes without saying that reducing our carbon footprints and reversing the impact of global warming will require changes - changes in the way businesses operate, and changes in the way we conduct our lives.

But according to a new poll by BBC World Service, the majority of us are willing to make those changes and sacrifices.

Eighty-three percent of people polled in 21 countries said a change in lifestyle and behavior for their countrymen would be necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Sixty-five percent of those polled in the U.S. said that higher energy costs are necessary to curb usage while 79 percent of respondents said American lifestyles must change to reduce emissions.

"While few citizens welcome higher taxes, the poll suggests that national leaders could succeed in introducing a carbon tax on energy," said Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes, which conducted the poll with GlobeScan and BBC World Service. "The key requirement is that their citizens trust that the resulting tax revenues will be invested in addressing climate change by increasing energy efficiency and developing cleaner fuels."