Actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made a refreshing statement about climate change this week. And like the steel skeleton hidden beneath the human flesh of his seminal Terminator character, a stronger point lurked inside his simple message.

First, an excerpt from his statement about climate change:

"Do you believe it is acceptable that 7 million people die every year from pollution? That’s more than murders, suicides, and car accidents – combined. Every day, 19,000 people die from pollution from fossil fuels. Do you accept those deaths? Do you accept that children all over the world have to grow up breathing with inhalers? Do you believe coal and oil will be the fuels of the future?"

That's straight talk anyone can understand from a man who has long been an advocate for alternative energy. His point is clear: Restoring and protecting the Earth and our resources is crucial even if you're among those who don't believe environmental problems are caused by humans.

Now, the deeper point: Fix the problem, not the blame.

The science of climate change, for instance, is intimately understood by the very few. The importance of addressing it, however, is immediately understandable to anyone. This is the only planet we have, it's important to take care of it. And though each and every one of us can do our part to help – conservation, recycling, gardening, walking instead of driving when possible – it falls to our leaders in government and business to take make this a priority. Water-saving toilets and energy-efficient light bulbs are the right thing to do, but they won't save us.

Big ideas will save us. They always have.

And they can come from anywhere. Manoj Bhargava, the founder of 5-Hour Energy, is using his billions and his brains to solve big problems our leaders either can't or won't fix. Three billion people worldwide have no electricity or electricity for just two or three hours a day. In response, his invention company created a hybrid bicycle one can peddle for an hour to create enough pollution-free power to provide 24 hours' worth of electricity. They plan to sell them for $200.

And just like that, a big problem is addressed with an innovative and inexpensive solution without political bickering.

So much of our governing is about rhetoric and posture that our problems are literally killing us while we argue about who created them instead of how to fix them. You don't have to agree with his politics or like his films to heed one of Mr. Schwarzenegger's best-known lines: "Come with me if you want to live."

We're right behind you.