When U.S. citizens go to the polls today, the world will be watching, just as it has throughout this long election cycle. As well it should.

So many of today’s critical issues reach beyond the borders of any one nation that our interests and our futures are now intertwined. Global climate change. Energy supply and demand. Biodiversity, human rights, our economies, the food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink…

Humankind has reached the point where we can no longer sit back and take for granted that Earth will continue to sustain us on our present course. We must launch a concerted effort on behalf of the planet, ourselves and future generations to make sure that it can, and we must do it now.

The vast majority of people across the globe will not have a chance to be heard at the ballot box today. If you are one of those who do have that chance, make sure you take advantage of the opportunity.

If you haven’t voted already, stop what you’re doing. Go out and do it now. It’s the most important thing you’ll do today. It’s not like the world is depending upon it.