The imbalances in the climate have been brought on by the incessant push for more and more immediate wealth.

Without information, there can be no real understanding of the ramifications of our choices.

Years ago, after I'd answered several questions from a group of teens, one of them asked how I could stay optimistic and keep on going. I answered that instead of getting sad, I get mad.

Education, the free flow of information, is key for our personal and societal growth. It all comes back to education.

Being mad is activating. Being sad can lead to hopelessness. I'm not hopeless. I'm very hopeful.

Energy use, transportation options, food choices, water use, purchasing choices, participating in elections, volunteering for nonprofits . . . and within each of these categories, each of us can learn to live a more conscious life.

I believe that it's vital for children and teens to be educated, to be given information to help them understand the impacts humans are having on our water, soil, and air.