I spent this past Saturday hanging out with my brother-in-law Mike and my niece, Olivia. Watching her this weekend made me think of sustainability. Holding my three-month old niece gives me a tangible feel for the future. At one point I was in a room with all of my sisters my neice and my mother, three generations of women.

The eldest born in the 50’s (sorry Mom) and the youngest born in 2009.  Looking at them all I can’t help but think of how much the world has changed over the source of that time-for a little perspective, Dwight Eisenhower was President when my mother was born…her grandchild was born at the beginning of the Obama administration. What amount of change will take place over Olivia’s lifetime? Will we create a sustainable culture in the US in her lifetime? Shouldn’t we? Shouldn’t we make certain hers is a life free from an energy crisis? Free of water shortages and dirty air? Shouldn’t she be able to grow up in a world where she can be anything she wants to be and not be concerned about the ramifications of her actions on the planet…because her way of life is part of a sustainable system and culture?

Olivia and her generation will face a whole host of challenges we can’t even imagine yet. Creating a truly sustainable culture will be the work of generations…but shouldn’t we give her a head start?