The Joy Trip Project

Madison, WI was host city of the 19th Annual meeting of The Society for Environmental Journalists. Media professionals from across the country gathered to discuss among issues the impact of climate change on the planet and the role human populations will play in mitigating the threat of global warming. "The choice that this generation faces is an awesome one," said former vice president Al Gore in his keynote address. "Never has a single generation been asked to make such consequential decisions for future generations. I think we're up to...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text] [caption id="attachment_1341" align="alignleft" width="330"] Audrey Peterman[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1342" align="alignleft" width="284"] Frank Peterman[/caption] The journey home passed in a blur of black asphalt highway and fast food eaten slowly. It’s 850 miles from Atlanta to Madison and at the conclusion of the Breaking the Color Barrier in the Great Outdoors conference I found myself racing back to begin the work that lies ahead.  The 14-hour drive was fueled as much by eager anticipation and heady adrenaline as diesel, tacos, hamburgers and coffee. It seemed the Joy Jetta sped north across four state lines not merely to carry me home but into the future. “At this conference we hope to begin seeding a new conversation,” said co-organizer Audrey Peterman. This small but incredibly dynamic woman with her charismatic husband Frank led a series of discussions and presentations that have set in motion a dialog to change the course of human history. “I don’t want to hear about saving the planet,” Audrey said. “The earth was around long before we came along and it will shrug us off long before it’s through. Right now it’s about changing how we live.”