Diane Wilson asked, "Why aren't people upset? Why aren't people protesting?" The mayor and county commissioners told her to keep quiet, and everybody else was afraid to speak out against the companies, which included some of the country's biggest chemical companies. There were even attempts on her life. Family members abandoned her, and certainly none of the other shrimpers stood with her.

For me hope isn't wishful thinking or blind faith about the future. It's a stance toward life - one of curiosity and humility.

I also believe that it's almost impossible for people to change alone. We need to join with others who will push us in our thinking and challenge us to do things we didn't believe ourselves capable of.

For me, just showing up for the traveling and writing gave me the power to overcome my fear of fear.

The good life is not about avoiding fear. Just the opposite.

I had no identity [when I was 27] - I was terrified that somebody would ask me what I was doing, and I would have no answer.

We hear, "Oh, we need to patent GMOs and develop new strains and new chemicals because Nature can't provide what we need." I have to debate people all the time who say that Nature can't provide enough.