julie forwarded this to me.

It is a commencement speech by a guy named Paul Hawken. He is a brilliant Enviornmentalist and Educator, as well as a Green Entrepreneur. I found it pretty inspiring. I really appreciate inspiration. If I don't do my yoga practice, or if I surround myself with the wrong sort of media and entertainment, I can start to get depressed. This is a powerful call to action, and it is uplifting as well. Here is a pretty good excerpt. If you'd like to read the rest of it, its here.

This planet came with a set of operating instructions, but we seem to have misplaced them. Important rules like don’t poison the water, soil, or air, and don’t let the earth get overcrowded, and don’t touch the thermostat have been broken. Buckminster Fuller said that spaceship earth was so ingeniously designed that no one has a clue that we are on one, flying through the universe at a million miles per hour, with no need for seatbelts, lots of room in coach, and really good food - but all that is changing.
There is invisible writing on the back of the diploma you will receive, and in case you didn’t bring lemon juice to decode it, I can tell you what it says: YOU ARE BRILLIANT, AND THE EARTH IS HIRING. The earth couldn’t afford to send any recruiters or limos to your school. It sent you rain, sunsets, ripe cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute person you are dating. Take the hint. And here’s the deal: Forget that this task of planet-saving is not possible in the time required. Don’t be put off by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done.

If you'd like to read the rest of it, its here

The Caves of Dunhuang are some really spectacular caves in Western China. They are so spectacular, that they are called 'Peerless'. Unfortuanately, due to harsh winds, time, and lots of tourists, the caves are rapidly deteriorating. What will become of them?
New York Times Article (with slideshow)
Friends of Dunhuang (preservation efforts)

From the "so much good stuff happens all on the same weekend" files:
The Telluride Yoga Festival has a delightful array of yoga teachers in a gorgeous setting. I am particularly fond of Robert Svoboda, Simon Park, Chandra Easton, and Scott Blossom, having had the good fortune to work with them in the past.

we especially like that the organizers of the conference seem to be very community and enviornmentally minded. 25% of their take will be going to the 'Sheep Mountain Alliance', a "grassroots citizen organization dedicated to the preservation of the natural environment in the Telluride Region and Southwest Colorado. To this end, Sheep Mountain Alliance will protect the health of regional ecosystems, wildlife habitats and watersheds, and will promote a sense of community, quality of life and a diverse and sustainable local economy."

They are also partnering with the 'New Community Coallition' , which 'was formed in 2007 to implement sustainability efforts in San Miguel county.' Together they will be working to promote a zero waste festival. Participants at the festival will recieve a reusable bag (we have quite a collection of these, don't we?), and filtered water will be freely available in all yoga rooms throughout the festival. You are encouraged to bring your water bottle.