The issues addressed here were compelling reminders of the power each of us have to make the world a better place through our everyday thoughts, words and collective actions; indeed, if we are to survive, we must make a concerted effort to leave lighter ecological carbon footprints. The initiatives shone a light upon the varied paths we must follow as individuals and communities to make our city, state, region and nation a more sustainable and peaceful place for all living things. All humans seek to survive, to live healthily and to live meaningfully. This still does not add up to a sustainable life, however. A sustainable life involves more: a realization, for example, that humans are not the only living creatures on the planet and must respect all life. And it involves the shouldering of responsibilities in a range of different roles via innate interests and urges. By bearing accountability for the social, economic and ecological consequences of our actions, both now and later, we will bring sustainable development closer. *** Side-note. I am still attempting to wrangle a final answer from representatives, in Nashville, over some abandoned rooftops in south-downtown; primarily the Lamar/Kentucky St area; across from the Metal Museum: purposes - Urban beekeeping, green roofs, water barreling; further walk-able urbanism, south Main aesthetics, etc.*** If I catch a break fairly soon, I can use data collected to see our city’s analytics / based upon the ‘Memphis Manifesto’ signed here in 2003 (one of the acts which truly started the green-boom last decade; factoring-in an area’s governing body, its school system, the business climate and stakeholder participation ~~ and report back on our very own victories, to include ledgers where we could improve greatly. Please do not allow atrophy to set in; seeing an agenda in the aggregate can at times be thoroughly overwhelming... address whatever civic issue speaks to you. In doing so you will avoid allowing atrophy to pervasively settle in. Conversely, you will become actively engaged in our town's evolution; both nurturing and honing individual creativity while exemplifying Memphis' aggregate uniqueness. Link to Manifesto: http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=15290 lp