A page from my travel journal:

I’m writing from an oceanfront café in Zoagli, a village on the Italian Riviera just across the harbor from Portofino. On my left, a couple converses in French and Italian over beer and pistachios.  To my right, two boys on the beach wield bamboo sticks in a mock sword fight. Here in this sunny Mediterranean spot, no sane person is passing the day in front of the TV or Xbox.

Georgia O’Keefe once said, “To create one’s own world, in any of the arts, takes courage.” I’m not an artist, but judging from my experience in sustainability consulting, changing the world takes at least as much courage as painting does.

I’ve been amazed to discover that the inability to adapt to change is the most significant stumbling block to implementing sustainability within any organization.  We continue to wrestle with the fact that we live on a planet of finite resources and that our actions are harming the earth.  Even though the scientific consensus has been clear for decades, the political will to change our ways has been less resolute.  Forty years ago President Nixon declared a need for a comprehensive energy policy and we still don’t have one. Scientists have openly discussed the dangers of climate change since the 1970s, yet the debate continues.  This stalemate surrounding our energy use and its harmful effects reveals, above all things, a lack of courage.  

Spring is coming.  Birds are singing, grass is growing, and flowers are beginning to bloom.  So much has happened during these past several weeks. Among the biggest events was the State of Green Business 2011 forum at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., where we met and learned from industry leaders in sustainability. As a result of the conference, Anna contributed an article covering a fascinating program to green the U.S. government, while Fintern Nina interviewed expert attendees for her her thesis.  For some of the major developments in corporate sustainability, check out Greenbiz Group executive editor Joel Makower's report. 

Last week found Anna in sunny Orlando, where she delivered a plenary presentation at the Salvation Army Mission and Environment Conference.  Billed as “A Call for Imaginative Faith,” the conference was a first for the 130-year old Christian charitable organization, now in over 100 countries.  Recognizing a faith-based case for environmental stewardship – a movement called "creation care" – is new territory for this very traditional organization.  But a smart, committed and forward-thinking group of leaders decided it was time to acknowledge that caring for the environment is akin to caring for people.  To that end, the speeches on the nexus of human rights, poverty and climate change were deeply inspiring.  

We had a great 4^th of July this year – the best I can remember. We swam in the pool at Prestonwood Country Club for hours and then enjoyed a delicious BBQ dinner while listening to a men’s choir sing patriotic songs. Afterwards we reclined on the golf course lawn to watch an amazing fireworks display. One of the neatest moments of the evening came when former Marines and other servicemen stood up for special recognition.  As we honored these veterans, it occurred to me that I owe the life I enjoy today in part to them.  Few in my generation can relate to the struggles and sacrifices they must have endured to preserve our freedom. I am humbled by the bravery of these patriots.

I don’t personally know anyone actively serving in the military today, but I do know a group of brave leaders who are fighting for America in their own way.  These entrepreneurs are working to protect us from a new kind of threat: diminishing resources. I’m not just talking about wildlife, but vital, life-sustaining substances like air, water and land.  I call these servant leaders ecopreneurs, but what they are saving is so much more than the environment.

Wow, only one day after I publish and distribute my open letter to Al Gore, I get a response!  :)  Click here for Gore's exclusive interview with CNN.  

I try to read news from all sources to maintain a fair and balanced (no pun intended) view of life.  After reading about "scandal", "corruption" and "conspiracy" - most of it coming from conservative bloggers - I have to admit even I had my doubts. At first blush, the two scientists' stolen emails (some up to ten years old, and all taken out of context) appear to compromise the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, which states that the "warming of the climate system is unequivocal" and "most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations."