Editor's Note: This post is written by Sarah Newman, a research manager at Participant Media. 

 Sometimes you meet really brilliant people who for whatever reason never got the opportunity to apply their skills to monumental tasks. Other times you meet powerful people whose brain power makes you wonder how they ended up in their position. Then you meet the occasional geniuses who are also power-brokers changing the world—people like Dr. Stephen Schneider. Schneider’s been studying, writing and talking about global warming for four decades—long before Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Gore, Ed Begley, Jr. or pretty much anyone else arrived on the scene to address this crisis. A scientist on the forefront of studying the evolving science of global warming, he trots the globe speaking to captivated audiences, arguing in scientific papers and teaching university students; Schneider’s impact cannot be underestimated. Through his brilliant, humorous and thoughtful insight, he has captured the attention and inspired world leaders, fellow scientists and regular people worldwide to take action on global warming. Oh, and he shared the Nobel Prize with Al Gore and the IPCC in 2007.

Schneider’s latest book, Science as a Contact Sport, is a behind-the-scenes look at his struggle to combat climate change. He has the admiration and support of millions of people worldwide, has been thrust into the public spotlight because of his continued leadership and persistence. But Schneider's also had to continuously navigate political, scientific, business and media structures—entrenched power-brokers with a vested interest in affecting public opinion on this issue who frequently do so through lies, manipulation and compromise. Why haven’t we made much progress? Schneider says the answer is simple: “ignorance, greed, denial, tribalism, and short-term thinking.”

I had the pleasure of hearing Schneider speak recently about his ongoing frustration with the blatant lies—arguments lacking any scientific basis—propagated by mainstream media outlets. But if anyone can take on anti-global warming activists, it’s Schneider. As Tim Flannery, the chairman of the Copenhagen Climate Council, notes in the book’s forward, Schneider’s “been so effective at countering climate skeptics and lobbyists that he’s become a special target of their campaign to discredit leading scientists.”

In Science as a Contact Sport, the story of global warming isn’t a happy one (unless you’re a skeptic). It’s not just an argument over scientific data, according to Schneider, but an ideological battle. Much of the US media, in their attempt to placate right-wing global warming skeptics, has given visibility and credibility to people whose arguments lack any scientific basis. Schneider says that spin doctors attempt to undermine his work by arguing that until the “unclear” aspects of global warming are resolved, the issue cannot be discussed in definitive terms. He counters that the science depends on accuracy and telling the truth. The current climate situation is grave—unresolved aspects of the science of global warming cannot divert from the already-proven concrete scientific evidence.

While the story he tells is depressing, Schneider’s enthusiasm and humor inspire. Schneider and 60 of his students are headed to the Copenhagen next month to fight for meaningful international climate policies. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s “Treat Your Children Well” keeps Schneider going. The tune plays over and over in his head (he also likes to play it on his guitar); we should be motivated to leave a better legacy for our children but we’re desperately failing.

I was humbled to ask him what regular people could do. Schneider stressed the need for us to become environmentally literate. We need the skills and tools to discern arguments, he said, the ability to weed through anti-global warming propaganda and to help ensure that the discussion stays based on sound science. Well-educated and environmentally literate citizen activists can hold the media accountable and shift the debate to a more rational, science-based one. He also said people need to examine their consumer behaviors. These are simple, practical tips that many of us are already familiar with that cumulatively can have a significant impact. Schneider’s suggested that people use the most energy-efficient appliances, turn off lights, minimize our travel footprints, drive fuel-efficient cars, etc. He concluded that people need to live up to the well-worn phrase, Think Globally, Act Locally. Building local, grassroots coalitions will make a difference on this global issue.

This is an ongoing, decades-long battle for Schneider. His book is a reminder that we can’t be on the sidelines—we need to be activists. Though we won’t necessarily be global warming giants like Schneider, we can all take action and infuse our lives with the same level of passion.  

WATCH: Stephen Schneider on climate tipping points