Climate change is a well-known dimension of the global environmental crisis: the causes have been identified, the impacts at the global and regional levels have been projected under different scenarios, targets have been set to limit emissions, and significant resources are devoted to research and development for technical solutions. However, we are still far from reaching those targets, and substantial changes must be made both in consumption patterns and in the efficiency in the use of Nature’s services to contain catastrophic increases in global temperatures. The fast decline in fertility rates across the world and the pace of technical innovation are sources of hope, but they are not enough to remain within the emission limits. For many emerging countries the most efficient path is to concentrate mitigation efforts on the preservation of their forests and ecosystems, while devoting significant resources to protect their people from the consequences of climate change. Fast adoption of cleaner technologies for mobility and energy use might help them to sustain growth while leapfrogging over the dirty stages of industrialization and growth.