The epic ongoing infernos in Australia and the Amazon along with so many other telltale signs of climate disruption are but a few of Mother Nature’s ever-more-urgent wake-up calls.

Her message is now unmistakable:

We need to phase out fossil fuels on a rapid timetable, starting now.

The UN has reported that if we continue with business as usual, we can expect an intolerable global heating of 5 degrees Celsius by 2100. So finally, we are out of time.

In the U.S., however, a huge obstacle stands in the way. President Donald Trump is not going to sign any meaningful climate legislation.

The nation therefore needs to look beyond the current administration’s climate obstructionism. We must start considering laws now that ultimately outlaw fossil fuels. Otherwise, America will be unprepared to take bold meaningful climate action in 2021.

Yes, the Democratic candidates for president are promising an end to fossil fuels by 2050 or sooner. But none is proposing specific legislation that will get us started toward that goal in 2021.

Proposing to end climate pollution decades from now is not a “profile in courage.” Our emissions of fossil-fuelled greenhouse gases are continuing to increase.

A third law would address transportation pollution. Just as in Norway and the Netherlands, all new cars, trucks or buses sold in the U.S. must by law be zero-emission by 2030. Starting in 2021, at least 10% of each auto manufacturer’s vehicles sold should be zero-emission, increasing 10% a year to 100% in 2030. For the next five years, a $10,000 federal tax credit or prorated subsidy would be provided for EV vehicles of $40,000 or less. A steadily increasing federal surcharge of $1,000 each year increasing to a maximum of $10,000 should be added to the price of new fossil-fuelled vehicles. Cash payments should be paid to hasten the scrapping of gasoline vehicles.

Fourth, a Federal Railroad Electrification Authority should be enacted with the duty to finance and build an all-electric rail system connecting the major U.S. cities.

Fifth, by Jan. 1, 2025, airlines should be required to reduce their fleet GHG emissions by 5% of 2020 emissions each year until they reach zero through the use of greater efficiency, renewable fuels, and hybrid or electric propulsion if available.

Sixth, a national Green Bank should be created to provide loans to finance the investments needed to implement all of the various mandates we propose, including low-to-zero interest loans to cement, steel, and other industries to modernize and decarbonize their production. These federal investments would more than pay for themselves over time by making these industries more efficient and competitive.

Seventh, because a great deal of CO2 persists in the atmosphere long after it is discharged, just zeroing out annual carbon emissions will not immediately stop the ongoing heating of the planet. We therefore also propose a national carbon credit plan for farmers, ranchers, foresters, other resource managers and private investors to be eligible for tax credits or payments of up to $100 for each properly certified ton of carbon removed from the atmosphere.