Happy Earth Day!

It’s amazing since Earth Day was created 38 years ago that we’ve continued to do so much destruction to the environmental. But with global climate change upon us, many people are now paying attention to environmental issues.

I enjoyed the Green Festival in Seattle recently. It gave me hope that we can get started on a more environmentally friendly and people-affirming path.

My favorite speaker was David Korten, author of the book “The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community.”

“We’ve been told the world we long for isn’t possible,” Korten said at the festival.

He doesn’t agree. Korten said we’re undertaking an enormous societal shift, a great turning. He calls it earth community, where partnerships, community, and justice prevail.

Korten is cofounder and board chair of the Positive Futures Network, which publishes “Yes! A Journal of Positive Futures.”

See my post, "Moving from empires to life-centered, egalitarian, sustainable societies," for details.

Frances Moore Lappe, author of “Diet for a Small Planet” and 15 other books, spoke at the festival about shedding ideas such as waste is the norm.

Lappe believes we need a living democracy and working for a healthy environment and sustainable living is part of it.

Lappe and her daughter Anna Lappe lead the Small Planet Institute, a network for research and education on democracy.

See my post, "Lappe fears for the future; urges a living democracy," for further information.

Amy Goodman, host of the independent news media program Democracy Now!, told stories at the festival about grassroots activists who have challenged the government and succeeded.

Amy and her brother David have written a book, “Standing Up to the Madness: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times,” which describes these success stories.

My post, "Goodman blasts Bush; praises those who stand up," offers more information on her comments.

Videos of these presentations will be on the Coop America Web site about May 1.

See my post, "Green Web sites to help you green your life," for a list of green Web sites to help you.

If you need ideas on Earth Day activities, see earthdaynetwork.