I recently went to a picnic with some buddies who are environmentalists like me. As we sat around talking we shared some of our frustrations and some of our joy. It made me wonder about my next blog. What is beautiful to you? What are the positive things happening in your life? Did your son or daughter make you laugh? Did you take a walk in the park or in the forest? Perhaps you helped someone do something she could not do alone. Or maybe you looked up at the stars and recognized a constellation or two.

Sadly, there are many people who have never experienced the beauty of nature. They have never put their arms around a tree or walked in a meadow of wild grasses. Some have never seen an ocean or swam in a lake. Others just know the smell of diesel gasoline, and polluted air. Recently, I had the chance to visit Arkansas and Missouri. I was amazed by the beauty of the rolling hills and hay bales, and by all of the lakes and streams. I was happy to go swimming and breathe in some clean, country air.

Luckily, there are so many people making a positive difference in the world and inspiring others to do the same. While I was at my picnic I met Steve Posselt, an Australian who is raising environmental awareness by kayaking around the world. If you look at Steve he has the build and energy of a young man. When I asked him his age he told me he was in his 60’s. I was impressed. He is passionate about leaving a healthy planet for his grandchildren, and about ending our dependence on fossil fuels, especially coal.

I hope you can see beauty around you. And I hope you can protect that beauty. Sometimes, it just takes a little bit of courage to do so.