friends and their passions

Recently David wrote eloquently about a friend of his.

I too have have great friends - the best sort of wealth there is.

Colleen happens to be one of them. Here is a short piece I wrote about her approach towards dealing with global warming:

The scientific debate is settled. We humans have a major role in the increase in average global temperature and the consequences of the potential rapid change through the rest of the century are not cheery. We have to do something about it if we care about our children, their children and their grandchildren. The first steps are convincing people there is a problem and that there are things they can do to make a difference.

AVP professional beach volleyball player Colleen Smith is hard at work convincing people that climate change is not something we can ignore . Waiting for technology alone to save the day is too risky. She reasons we need to embrace the idea of change and start making changes where we can. The journey is worthwhile and we may even become better people for it. But there are people who need to understand this and share her passion.

Her strategy is to engage people and get them thinking on their own about what they can do. People have to stay positive or they may give up.

Colleen is a tall, powerful and passionate young woman who gets attention when she is at her beach “office” training or playing. The beach is something that will change as sea level increases and this gave her an idea. She wears tattoos at heights where scientists think sea levels may be in the future. People are naturally curious about these marks and conversations begin: Conversations with these props give people a visual sense of what is at stake.

They see,
they hear,
and they remember.

Young people, particularly youngsters, are fascinated by this strong woman and Colleen explains that they should not see this as a frightening future that is out of their hands. It is not something to fear and retreat from, but rather something where we - where they - can change the outcome. We need to attack it with the energy that she attacks a volleyball.

As she talks to the children, she gives them suggestions of positive steps they can take and encourages them to spread the word to their family and friends. They can help their parents make the right choices when important decisions are made. She tells them there is no magic solution, but rather many smaller actions that can and must be done. There is no silver bullet, but there is silver buckshot.

She has started to blog at www.6footsix.com and you can follow her work with kids, her life as a pro beach volleyball player, and Zula and Daisy-Mae - her pups and co-conspirators in all of this.

I don't say this often, but giving a bit to her will make a real difference. This is going to be a terrific season for her and all of us can share in her passion. She is also making a real difference educating exciting kids. She gets them interested in kid things that make a difference and make them appreciate themselves and the outdoors - gardening, biking/walking/running rather than having their parents cart them around. And even a bit of easy conservation smarts. There is a link on her site that is marked paypal, but you can use a regular credit card. If you want to send a check and a letter, send her email and she'll give you an address.

A great friend of mine and two fine causes in one. I'm sure I will write more as the Summer unfolds, but this is a very critical time for her and I stand behind her a thousand percent.

Comments

[Jheri]

I know Colleen. She is amazing and this is so much the right thing to do. I get annoyed with the approach many greens use and think she will have a chance at talking to normal people. Such a good way to donate some money.