Environmentalists rejoiced at Obama’s victory Tuesday. Many had encouraged people to go green by voting blue. Though both candidates prioritized the environment, Obama’s plan was broader in scope, set higher goals for reduction of carbon emissions and promised to back goals with money, taking the proposal from an abstract set of ideals to real, possible strategy. The president-elect’s dictum of change includes stimulating growth of the renewable energy industry, goals for reducing carbon emissions and plans to overcome our oil addiction.

Obama’s New Energy for America plan sounds like just the arrangement this country needs to start the groveling process and begin making amends with the Earth for all the wrongs we’ve done to her. Appealing to the money-crunched American public with promises to help those “facing pain at the pump” and to create five million new jobs with an investment of $150 billion, the Obama-Biden plan combines economic incentives with real environmental strategies. If they meet their goals, there will be a million more plug-in hybrids on the road by 2015. The plan includes having 10 percent of the nation’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025. They aspire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050, through a cap and trade program based on reinvestment. Pollution credits will be sold on auction, and the money raised will fund habitat protection and clean energy projects. These efforts, the team hopes, will make the United States a leader in the battle against climate change instead of the lame-o who hasn’t ratified the Kyoto Protocol.

Denying the problem only makes it harder to solve. Photo by Joshua Davis on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.

Sounds awesome, right? Yes… and no. Clearly defined plans for environmental change: good. Pledging the dollars to realize those goals: even better. But as much as Obama deserves the victory dances tree huggers performed Tuesday night, the political battle is nowhere near over. The arctic is melting faster than anyone ever expected. The planet is warming and the oceans are rising — quickly. What’s worse, changes like these set into motion feedback loops that accelerate future changes. None of this progresses in a linear fashion — the curves are exponential, and they’re steep. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, many of them will be irreversible by 2012. Goal dates of 2025 and 2050 are not going to cut it. The timetable is too restrained: The changes need to be drastic and quick. It’s time to stop debating which hybrid is the cutest and start politically organizing. We can drive a little less, recycle a little more, stop using Styrofoam cups — whatever — then pat ourselves on the back and call it an eco-friendly day. But how many of us are actually willing to drastically alter the organization of our society, coordinate politically and make deep and real change?

Winning the election was the first step of what needs to be a fast and furious march. Here are three ways to get involved and be a part of the action.

1. Join We.

The We Campaign (a project of Al Gore’s Alliance for Climate Protection) believes America can switch 100 percent of its electricity to clean energy sources in the next 10 years. Sign up, and while you’re there take a look at the “take action” section.

2. Send an invite to the next president.

The United Nations is having a climate meeting in Poland this December. Tell Obama that you want him to commit the country to mandatory greenhouse gas reductions and to helping developing countries reduce theirs. Click the link to find out how to invite him to the meeting.

3. Say no to coal.

And tell Congress to do the same. Join the Union of Concerned Scientists and send a letter urging opposition to building new coal-fired power plants unless they have the technology to capture the carbon dioxide these plants produce and store it underground, where it won’t contribute to global warming. (The technology still needs testing, so the letter-writing campaign advocates limited testing.) Follow the link to send the UCS’s pre-written letter or customize your own.

Opportunities abound in Chicago to get your hands dirty and volunteer. Mayor Daley has committed to making Chicago the world’s greenest city. Conserve Chicago Together lists tons of ways you can help. Join the Chicago Conservation Corps and they’ll help you help our small patch of the planet.