John Marks Templeton has achieved exemplary success in both business and philanthropy. For Looking Forward he has assembled a diverse and remarkable group of experts in their fields-including the environment, medicine, the physical sciences, religion, the family, and international relations-and contributed two stellar pieces as well. Together these essays dispel fashionable pessimism and show how the world can progress-and is progressing-toward a better future.

I have to admit that, until recently, I was somewhat wary of the (global) warming debate. I believe it is now our responsibility to take the lead on this issue.

I've operated and launched newspapers all over the world.

Most newspaper companies still have their heads in the sand, but other media companies are aggressive.

I'm not an economist and we all know economists were created to make weather forecasters look good.

I would like to be remembered, if I am remembered at all, as being a catalyst for change in the world, change for good.

We're not a manufacturer, or an airline, but we do use energy. Printing and publishing newspapers, producing films and television programs, operating 24-hour newsrooms. It all adds carbon to the atmosphere.