Ben Blonder, the author of Natural Curiosities is a sustainability hero. He really is – one of fourteen Next Generation of Environmental Conservationists Champions of Change named by U.S. President Obama.

And he “walks the walk”. Good science researchers work hard! I feel hopeful about the future of the planet when I think of Ben and the work that he, and other committed environmentalists, are doing.

A while ago we reprinted Ben’s post about his climb to work, 2,100′ by foot up a mountain in the pristine Colorado air, every day, rain or shine, hot or cold. Now Ben tells about a different commute to work via a resource-guzzling airplane into the smoke caused by the burning of Malaysia’s forests. It’s not such Good News For Nature, except that Ben is on the job. To read his post click here . . .