For years climate change warnings have followed a similar pattern: Act now to prevent catastrophic consequences in the future. Yet as we go into the 27th United Nations Conference of the Parties climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, that message alone is not enough – We must also focus on the need to protect ourselves and our planet today. Climate change is no longer a far-off threat. It’s here, affecting lives and livelihoods and disrupting hydrological and other ecological cycles. The earth has warmed 1.1 degrees above pre-industrial levels, and the number of climate and weather-related disasters has increased almost 35 percent since the 1990s. Just consider the recent devastating floods in Pakistan and Nigeria that have killed hundreds and displaced millions.