On the eve of Thanksgiving and Paris . . .

On the eve of Thanksgiving,  I am very thankful. How couldn't I be? I hit the human lottery. I have three smart, engaging children with absolutely no health or mental issues (that I know of). I have a gorgeous, loving wife that is insanely supportive of my thoughts, actions and direction. I have healthy parents who remain committed to each other and healthy, thoughtful siblings who are supportive of me. I have lived in a time, in a country and in an economy that can only be considered the best in human history. I was born of a race and gender, in said country, time and economy, which has been given (or taken) every advantage. I have lived in a time where energy is extremely cheap and the climate has been very stable. I have lived in a time and place where nearly each passing day technology has made it easier for me to live. I have never had to be concerned with food, water, shelter or money, in any real way. That, as you can agree, is hitting the human lottery.

But for all that I am thankful for, I possess a pang of terrible guilt. As I know, for all my luck, it is me, and those who have lived in my country for the previous two generation, who has been living, and continues to live, at the expense of future generations. I buy whatever I want, when ever I want. I eat whatever I want, whenever I want. I drink whatever I want, whenever I want. I travel to wherever I want, whenever I want, all without a care in the world. But this is not sustainable, in fact, if you think about it, it is downright criminal. The currency used to purchase the ease in my life today is compounding interest for future generations to pay off - we are all stealing from the future. This can be said financially, but more importantly environmentally. I didn't create the world I live in, but it is very much my responsibility to change it, as doing anything less makes me complicit in this unprecedented theft.

Three years ago I decided to make a significant life change. I was released from my bondage (physically, mentally, intellectually and financially) from the powers that be and I made a conscious decision to set my life on a more compelling, productive path. My intention was to only do "good" work for "good" people and for "good" causes. For the most part, I have accomplished this but not to the extent I hoped or even had the opportunity to achieve.

That same hope that enveloped me three years ago fills me now as world leaders begin to converge on Paris for COP21 to negotiate saving the world from itself.

As an American, shame envelops my being. I know it is my country that is most at fault for our current climate crisis and I know that my country has been one of the least willing to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure climate security. I know that I haven't done enough in my own life to make the changes I wish upon others but understand that it will take more than my voice and action to make these changes. And that again makes me thankful, there are many more people like me working to undo the unintended wrongs of our past.

But most of all, I know we can do it. Humanity is capable of so much, both terrible and wonderful. I hope we chose to be wonderful in Paris and begin repaying the debt of which we have burdened future generations.