Solar Panels and a Banjo

In the past week, I’ve had the pleasure of hearing two great and inspirational speakers.  First, I went to the Center for Spirituality & Healing sponsored event at the University of Minnesota featuring Van Jones.  Van is known for his crusading to use the new green economy to raise this nation’s poor citizens.  However, in the talk he gave last Thursday, he talked less about installing solar panels and more about integration- of green movements and community development efforts and of personal development and societal advancement.  He’s an engaging speaker and I highly recommend you go hear him if you get a chance.  On a local note, he stated that Minnesota is one of just a handful of states poised to really demonstrate that green jobs can help communities.

A day later I attended the Nobel Peace Prize Forum at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN.  While there were many interesting speakers and topics, the crowd favorite was clearly John Francis, also known as the Planetwalker.  Inspired by seeing an oil spill in San Francisco, Mr. Francis gave up motorized transportation for 22 years and walked all over this country and many others, playing the banjo as he went.  He also gave up speaking during 17 years of that time.  Along the way he got a Phd and became an expert on oil spills.  His message was very personal, but he stressed that if you are on the right path there are forces out there that will help you along.

Both of these gentlemen have books available if you want to learn more:

• Green Collar Economy, Van Jones
• Planetwalker. 22 Years of Walking. 17 Years of Silence, John Francis