For the record, I try to stay away from politics and religion on my author blog, as I do not wish to alienate those who have views that differ from my own. Yet, in the light of yesterday’s news, I am going to break my own blog rule.

As some of us scratch our heads in dismay at the current U.S. administration’s choice to pull out of the Paris Climate Accord, others view it as a sound business decision that put’s America first.

How do we–those of us that have a more global view of our shared responsibility for the health of the planet, and trust the scientific community’s overwhelming evidence that human contribution to climate change is real–interact with those who believe climate change is a hoax / that an environmentally conscientious lifestyle isn’t necessary?

If it’s a female friend, co-worker or neighbor you are trying to reach, you could romance her into considering a more environmental lifestyle. And I have just the man for the job: Jake Tillerman. If you haven’t met Jake, you are seriously missing out. He’s the male protagonist in my debut novel GREEN and the environmental and social debates that unfold in this opposites-attract story between Jake Tillerman and Ellie Ashburn are the perfect introduction to leading an environmental lifestyle, without bashing someone over the head with your ideology. (Let sexy Jake it for you!) 

He introduces Ellie and her office mates at the design and fashion magazine Duomo to a Seven Change Challenge, which provides daily steps to reduce your dependence on an oil-based economy and help save the planet. He also challenges Ellie on many levels to consider how her lifestyle affects the world around her.

Don’t worry. Ellie is strong and has her own opinions, and she isn’t afraid to verbally spar with Jake on every topic. That not-so-green friend of yours might even recognize herself in Ellie.

The love story is also quite compelling and as you get caught up in the plot, that green ideology slowly seeps into the reader’s conscience, as they consider not only love, but the broader sense of loving the planet. Sneaky plan, isn’t it? But it might open the door to a positive conversation; conversations we need to have with one another about the future of our shared home: Earth.

You can order a copy of GREEN on Amazon.com in both kindle and paperback format or through most U.S. bookstores.

Makes a great gift that just might start a conversation. Here is a link,

Other ideas to start the conversation:
1) We can take immediate action in our own lives as described in this 2015 New York Times article What You Can Do aBout Climate Change and just like Jake Tillerman, use those actions as a way to engage others to do the same.

2) We can be inspired by Al Gore’s response to Trumps pull-out from the Paris Climate Accord and learn what comes next on his website. Here’s an excerpt from Gore’s letter that came in my inbox yesterday:

“Civic leaders, mayors, governors, CEOs, investors and the majority of the business community will take up this challenge. We are in the middle of a clean energy revolution that no single person or group can stop. President Trump’s decision is profoundly in conflict with what the majority of Americans want from our president; but no matter what he does, we will ensure that our inevitable transition to a clean energy economy continues.” 

Learn more at Climate Reality Project.

3) You can feel the rage laced with humor of Arnold Schwarzenegger with his video.

4) Reach out, engage and expand your circle of friends, co-workers and neighbors who also want to take action so that together, we can be the grass roots revolution that makes the Paris Climate Accord a reality.

Wow! I really sound like Jake Tillerman right now. I know someone’s going to tell us that the glass is actually half empty, but I think Jake, Al, Arnold and I are all in agreement: it’s definitely half-full.