Thanks for this Joel. I believe so strongly that it's crucial to focus much more mental and emotional energy on what we DO want, rather than complain about what we don't want/what hasn't worked.

If there aren't already some substantial thinktanks (in addition to Van and his inspiring efforts) at work creating a comprehensive sustainability vision(s) including includes how to achieve a significantly dematerialized sustained economic vitality - perhaps now is the time to start some. Such thinktanks would ideally comprise highly diverse crews of motivated and aware people.

Liz Stuart
MBA, Sustainability (May 2009)
estuart@presidiomba.org

Joel, two thumbs up for your article. I'd also throw in a recommendation for Paul Hawkens, author of Natural Capitalism, as another voice of reason and vision-provoking storyteller. Having seen the guy speak at Enviro2002, the power of being able to paint a word-picture that can inspire others to action, and give them both a sense of purpose and a destination to be working towards, is powerful, and rare. Looking forward to seeing the myriad visions this article might spawn, hoping that we can see a set of aggregate themes that transcend product pitches and me-too-ers, and give people a picture that can inspire their own personal action agendas..

Joel, two thumbs up for your article. I'd also throw in a recommendation for Paul Hawkens, author of Natural Capitalism, as another voice of reason and vision-provoking storyteller. Having seen the guy speak at Enviro2002, the power of being able to paint a word-picture that can inspire others to action, and give them both a sense of purpose and a destination to be working towards, is powerful, and rare. Looking forward to seeing the myriad visions this article might spawn, hoping that we can see a set of aggregate themes that transcend product pitches and me-too-ers, and give people a picture that can inspire their own personal action agendas..

Brian Hill
http://www.laughingmind.com

Matt Brigg's forthcoming film looks inspiring!

http://www.deepgreeninc.org/samples/index.php?video=sample_china_glassfa...

Great message and timing! In addition to Van Jones, I'd like to highlight the Rocky Mountain Institute. In RMI's solutions-oriented research and consulting work, they've imagined and created a more secure, just, prosperous, and life-sustaining world. The vision they put forth is one we can all support and get excited about. As a result, they made success strides with a variety of partners across the industries and the political spectrum.

http://www.rmi.org

What happens if we get things right? What does that look like?
Many architects and urban design studios are authorities on visioning the future of green.
Terreform ONE [Open Network Ecology] is a nonprofit organization and philanthropic design collaborative that integrates ecological principles in the urban realm. It was formed for the advancement of socio-ecological science and the dissemination of this knowledge through diverse programs.

Please see our work on: Mobility, Habitat, and Urbanity.
+Dr. Mitchell Joachim
http://www.terreform.org

Unfortunately President Obama fails my criteria as having "the vision thing".

Prior to leaving office, George Bush authorized over one trillion dollars in bailouts and stimulus.

Secretary Paulson held an early Christmas party - handing out bailout money to all the greedy companies and executives that got us into this mess in the first place.

Now, President Obama continues this theme by borrowing billions of dollars (it will be trillions before he's through) to handing it out money to all these dependent people and corporations.

I have a vision of a country that doesn't need bailouts and handouts from the government to succeed. Green / sustainable issues are forwarded by well meaning executives and self-employed entrepreneurs.

Scientists are experimenting to find more sustainable and safe answers to life's problems. Individuals and families are rewarded with a safe, healthy environment and savings to retire with.

We can do all this on our own. We only disempower ourselves to think that Obama is going to fix all our problems - or that there are other great people out there who will save us.

Sure, there are people who can show the way, but if the people showing the way do so at the expense of disempowering the people they lead - then they are leading people to dependence and despair.

So say "NO" to the bailouts and the handouts. If your in trouble with your house - go out and rent. If your up to your eyeballs in debt - go out and get a second job and pay down your debts honorably.

We Americans must stop looking to Washington but instead look inside ourselves for the answer. We have all the resources we need to solve the problem ourselves.

So Does Obama have vision?