I’m truly inspired by Dr. John Francis, the Planetwalker, the man who witnessed an oil spill then gave up motorized transportation for 22 years—and then, when he felt he was arguing about his mission too much, took a vow of silence that lasted 17 years so that his actions spoke louder than his words. He found that when he stopped talking, he was better able to listen. This philosophy of one step at a time, one person making a singular statement, has grown a bit out of vogue in this era of urging societal change to take on the seemingly insurmountable challenge of halting climate change, but it is still exactly what we need to make a significant difference in the world.

“I was making a statement for other people to see, and perhaps to inspire them. The most you can do is be who you are and do what you do. You’re the only person you really have a moral obligation to change. What everyone else does, you don’t have any control over that.” 

Read this Q&A with Dr. John Francis in Grist.Francis will be speaking at the Conservation Alliance Breakfast at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Marriot on Thursday, January 24, 2008, 7:30-9:00 AM. Don’t miss it.