o b a l p I’M AN OPTIMISTIC PERSON, but sometimes looking around at what’s happening can be overwhelming. In plain view are raging wars, hopeless poverty and disease, climate change threatening the planet, and pollution endangering our health. Yikes! This is depressing—let’s not go on. With problems so daunting, how can we reverse this self-destructive trend? And where to begin in the midst of such chaos? I believe that all the problems in the world combined are not bigger than the otential of humankind to solve them. There isn’t one simple answer, but most of us have the ability to perform at east one action each day, no matter how small, that will contribute to solving a particular problem. For example, we know how the recycling movement took hold one aluminum can t a time—and how that changed the way products are sold and how public services work for us. Bringing your own shopping bag to the market and avoiding plastic water bottles are doing the same thing now. Far beyond just the amount of resources saved, actions like these also send a message to businesses and government leaders. The message: We care enough to choose products based on our values. It’s going to take countless steps by innumerable people to turn things around, ut I believe that the momentum from enough concerned citizens who take individual small actions is strong enough to make it happen. The good news is that this is happening around the world today. We just need to do more—faster— to assure a better world for ourselves and future generations. Dream of a better world. Think of something you can do, no matter how large r small. For inspiration, let me share a version of the 1930s classic “Dream a Little Dream” by French jazz singer Raquel Bitton (my beautiful and beloved wife). Click here to listen. See Raquel’s site for more about her and her music.
Gerald Prolman meets with mayor Gavin Newsom for our story on San Francisco’s green policies.
a In Organic Style magazine, we want to share stories that will educate and inspire all of us to do what we can—to make small or large steps in the right direction. In this issue we see what a concerned mayor nd populace are doing to make San Francisco a greener city. In Marin, farms and businesses are working together to create the first organic county. An international pop star shares his views on gratitude and treading lightly. We also offer helpful ideas about eating healthy, caring for your body, investing responsibly, and minimizing our impact on the earth as you decide what to wear and how to live, give, and enjoy life.
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