“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead

If you had a magic wand, and you could wave it and create a world full of light, love, justice and peace, when do you think you would choose to use it? Would you get around to it as soon as you were done with your education? Would you do it once you found the right job? Would you think about doing it “someday”? Of course not.

2010 has been a year of missed opportunities for the environment. From no progress or worse on the international climate action stage, to a clean energy bill in the U.S. Senate that is still on ice despite the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history, it’s enough to make you want to throw up your hands and buy beach-front property on the Bering Sea.

In the mythology of many of the native peoples on Earth, there is a prophesy that when the Earth is most in peril, a spider woman will weave a web connecting people with one another in order for them to do what has to be done to save the world.

In a recent interview with Bill Moyers, Greg Mortenson highlighted the need for ongoing efforts to promote education for girls in these regions that are so prone to the influence of extremism.