I attended a conference recently and was surprised to hear another person ask an environmentally astute and corporately powerful speaker something to the effect of What will people do when they find out that carbon has nothing to do with ‘global warming’? – that global warming is just a naturally occurring condition. The speaker squirmed a little then responded with what I consider to be a standard answer for someone is in denial.

He went on the talk about how technology must be developed first. Second is the importance of the outcome of the next presidential election, and so on. With the right person elected – and fair voting booth technology in tact – we could see the U.S. ostrich pull its tax money head out of the sand and begin the work of preserving and/or saving the lives of the planet’s youth. If we don’t empower the right person, the world may continue on the path of looking to the EU for leadership in tackling the fast approaching global warming issues.

Of course, among other things I’d like to see Air Car and geothermal power technologies perfected very soon but my eyes are searching for and my ears are listening for the truth behind the lobbied answers coming from our potential candidates. I’d be very pleased to see a flood on information related to the Green-ness of each candidate. To see their Green report card distributed to every voting capable person in our country.

It took three decades for the Green people to organize and make their power palpable in the world of business and power. Thank goodness for that. I hope soon the Green network will be easier to navigate for those of us who don’t have that org chart handy.

 Oil based products are intrinsic to our lifestyle. From the rubber on the bottom of our shoes, to the foods containing hidden GMOs and unhealthy fats and preservatives, to the plastic containers and shrink-wrap in which our organic foods are sold, our dependence is definite.

If the wheels on our tires on not recyclable, shouldn’t we be looking for an alternative? I see so many used tires littering my tiny part of the world. Can we even imagine a world where everything is made from biodegradable materials? If we can’t, maybe should try a little harder. Society should not be defined by the things we have, it has more to do with the decisions we make as individuals and as a group.

If space settlement is the next biggest conquest, I submit that humans aren’t prepared mentally, emotionally or even physically to take that leap. I believe in the karmic rule that we really need to ‘put our own house in order’ before blundering into another. (think Mars) Maybe the transportation issues we should be addressing with untold millions of dollars should go towards hybrid automobiles and cleaner mass transit options.

Our planet is the most beautiful place I can imagine. Our experience here is colored brighter or dimmer by the attitudes of her people and the decisions made by the lucky rich folks. By the way, luck is not the ultimate gift of life. In my humble opinion, the ultimate gift is the peace gained through taking care of each other. A healthy environment does not preclude a healthy economy.

If you agree that taking care of our children is the best goal we can aspire to in our short lives and that many of our plant and animal planet mates no longer have the power to survive without our consent, then please join green discussions. Together we can make great strides in mapping out the way to a sustainable future for everyone on our beautiful blue world.