On Thursday, September 19 at 19:30 GMT: 
We’re told to recycle, upcycle and downcycle. We’re told to ditch the straws and forgo plastic cups. We indoctrinate our kids with the “rinse and reuse” mantra. But are these efforts futile in preventing climate change?

American novelist Jonathan Franzen has unleashed a maelstrom of controversy by asserting that in order to prepare for the climate apocalypse we must admit we can’t prevent it. He recently published an essay in The New Yorker making his case, in which he readily admitted he’s no scientist, but maintained society needs to stop pretending that efforts to heal Mother Earth will prevent the inevitable.

Climate scientists such as Kate Marvel took umbrage with Franzen’s essay. In a rebuttal, she reaffirmed what the science community believes: that given we understand the drivers of climate change we can work to make a difference.

Today, we ask our panel who is ultimately responsible for preventing climate change and ... is it even possible?

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Genevieve Guenther @DoctorVive
Founder, End Climate Silence
endclimatesilence.org

Arn Menconi @ArnMenconi
Peace & Climate Change Activist

Sara Peach @sarapeach
Author, #AskSara Advice Column
yaleclimateconnections.org

Read more: 
The controversy over Jonathan Franzen's climate change opinions, explained - Vox 
Who's most responsible for global warming - The New York Times
Home is always worth it - Medium

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.