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When our rivers run dry and our crops cease to grow
When the environment has been damaged to the point where our rivers are dry and our crops cannot grow, we will understand that our actions have led to irreversible consequences.

And when our summers grow longer and winters won't snow
The effects of climate change impact our ability to predict weather patterns, leading to long and unpredictable summers and winters without snow.

From the banks of the ocean and the ice in the hills
The effects of climate change can be seen in both ocean and mountain environments, showing how far-reaching these effects can be.

To the fight in the desert where progress stands still
Climate change causes struggles in desert areas where water sources dry up and progress towards a resolution is limited.

When we've lost our will
Humanity's reluctance to adapt to the changing world may lead to a total loss of progress and motivation to solve the problem.

That's how we'll know, this is not a test, oh no
The signs of climate change and its effects are not a part of a test or simulation, but the real world consequences of our actions.

This is cardiac arrest of a world too proud to admit our mistakes
Humanity's refusal to acknowledge its mistakes and take action is leading to catastrophic climate change, like a heart attack in a body refusing to admit it is unhealthy.

We're crashing into the ground as we all fall from grace
The continued inaction and denial of climate change will lead to an inevitable and devastating end for humanity and the planet.

When the air that we breathe becomes air that we choke
Pollution caused by climate change, among other factors, can lead to inhaling harmful air, causing health issues and difficulties breathing.

When the marsh fever spreads from the swamps to our homes
Climate change leads to the spread of new diseases and infections beyond the natural environments, like swamps, where they would typically originate.

When your home on the range has been torn down and paved
The continued expansion of human populations and industries can lead to the destruction of once-thriving natural habitats, like plains.

The buffalo roam to a slaughterhouse grave
The severe damage to ecosystems by human actions like ranching lead to the destruction of species like the buffalo, hunted to near-extinction.

What more will it take?
If we do not act now, what other catastrophic events do we need to see before we take substantial action to save our planet?

This is a chance to set things straight
Providing solutions to climate change and related problems is a means to right our previous wrongs and protect our planet.

To bend or break the rules back into place
Pre-existing rules and institutions that have led to problems in the environment need to be reconsidered and revised to solve the problem of climate change.

There is no middle ground, no compromise
Climate change is a black and white issue that should not be negotiated or compromised, but solved swiftly and effectively.

We've drawn the line
The time has come to make definitive action and protect our planet from the ongoing damage caused by our actions.

With perfect aim, we stand back and throw
We need to plan and act with precision and purpose, to enact lasting and meaningful change to the environment.

Glass windows break and it's all about to blow
The monumental impact of our actions on the environment can be likened to the sound of windows breaking, an uncomfortable and jarring sign of impending disaster.

Lights go out as we pass the torch again
Sustainable habits and ideas need to continue to be enacted and improved upon, like passing a torch from one person to another in a relay.

In hope that it stays lit, oh
The future of our planet ultimately relies on our commitment to change, to be as bright and sustained as the flame of a lit torch.

Neutrality means that you don't really care
Inaction and neutrality are tantamount to being careless and indifferent to the impending dangers of climate change.

'Cause the struggle goes on even when you're not there
The fight for climate change, and the need to protect our planet, is a continuous battle that must be perpetuated even when others do not join the fight.

Blind and unaware
Ignoring the signs of climate change, and not believing in the evidence, leads to disadvantage and lack of knowledge of how to tackle the issue at hand.

We're crashing into the ground as we all, yeah, we all, all fall from grace
The continued inaction and denial of the problem of climate change is leading to a cataclysmic end for humanity and a fall from grace as we fail to protect our planet.