I’ve only been to Silicon Valley twice, and came back impressed with the people, innovation, and weather there. If only it is not so expensive

I am with you Danny regarding everything in perspective. And speaking of flying, I thought I heard Virgin Atlantic tested power a plane with bio-fuel (coconut oil?). Not too sure of the corn-to-ethanol method myself, though.

I was really impressed by recycling in Sweden. I remember sending recycled material together in a collection station with my father-in-law in Sweden. He also had a compost container in the backyard where leftover food was dumped and turned into organic fertilizer. He is an engineer in a power plant where it uses low emission birch trees, instead of coal, as fuel. At the same time, a quick search on recycling in Sweden turned out some grumbling voice of its strictness, but still, I am impressed.

California tends to lead the way for the United States. In San Francisco we have banned plastic bags at supermarkets, and I see more people bringing bags to the store. We briefly had a mandate for electric vehicles. Hybrids get some carpool lane access . . . still a far way to go. The wastefulness drives me crazy and the consumerism often reminds me of a more modest childhood where Mom endlessly taught us the word “no.”

But everything in perspective, right? I’m here at the airport waiting to fly to Boston for a week. I have no idea how that quantifies in plastic bags!

Another thing in California, I think this year we have a ballot initiative to fund the early phase to start building a high-speed rail system between Los Angeles and San Francisco. And I hear the Silicon Valley is founding startups for new solar and nano-technologies. We already have a new electric sports car . . . there are places where you can see our hopes for the future, and while there are plenty of silly Internet startups we are beginning to apply our talents, passions, and venture funding towards building a more sustainable civilization.

Hopefully we are not too late, but either way we have the work of building the future cut out for us . . .

-danny