Within the U.S. the Obama presidency will be mainly measured by the success or failure of his economic policies. And here I fear the monstrous stimulus package with which this administration stumbled out of the gate will prove to be Obama's Waterloo.

It was a great experience for a kid because it was a bunch of kids playing on pirate ships and water slides so looking back on it it was the fondest experience of my childhood.

We have that illusion that we are 'deciding' what to make a character do in order to 'convey our message' or something like that. But at least in my experience you are often more like a river-rafting guide who's been paid a bonus to purposely steer your clients into the roughest possible water.

I reflect back 35 years ago and look how far we have come in America with our environmental policy to improve the conditions of our air and water and we have had some real successes.

In the rich world the environmental situation has improved dramatically. In the United States the most important environmental indicator particulate air pollution has been cut by more than half since 1955 rivers and coastal waters have dramatically improved and forests are increasing.

In Kenya women are the first victims of environmental degradation because they are the ones who walk for hours looking for water who fetch firewood who provide food for their families.

Beyond reducing individual use one of our top priorities must be to move from fossil fuels to energy that has fewer detrimental effects on water supplies and fewer environmental impacts overall.

Within 10 years it will be impossible to travel to the North Pole by dog team. There will be too much open water.

By polluting clear water with slime you will never find good drinking water.

Money spent on carbon cuts is money we can't use for effective investments in food aid micronutrients HIV/AIDS prevention health and education infrastructure and clean water and sanitation.

Without in any way minimising the economic and psychological blow that people experience when they lose their jobs the unemployed in affluent countries still have a safety net in the form of social security payments and usually free healthcare and free education for their children. They also have sanitation and safe drinking water.

Brands must have a point of view on that purposeful engagement whether it's directed towards the environment poverty water as a resource or causes such as breast cancer or education. Merely declaring your commitment to a category or cause will not be enough the distinguish your brand sufficiently to see a return on these well-intended efforts.

Have you ever wondered why young people take to music like fish to water? Maybe it's because music is fun. Plan and simple. It opens up their minds to dream great dreams about where they can go and what they can do when they get older.

My dreams are of water. And my nightmares.

I have dreamed in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after and changed my ideas they have gone through and through me like wine through water and altered the color of my mind.

A plant-based diet has actually simplified my life in so many ways. For breakfast I try to get my first serving of fruits and nuts for fuel. I'm completely addicted to coconut water for the electrolytes and hydration.

Meat is a wasteful use of water and creates a lot of greenhouse gases. It puts enormous pressure on the world's resources. A vegetarian diet is better.

The best anti-aging advice I've ever received? Drink a lot of water and have a plant-based diet. I also do mindful meditation with my daughter every day. It takes ten minutes. I think reducing stress plays a big part in anti-aging.

I was a vegan for two years and I really enjoyed it. Then I got to a point in my life at which I wanted to do something else so now I'm a vegetarian. You should make your diet one that best fits you and how you feel. Listen to your body. The most important thing is to exercise drink lots of water and take really good care of yourself.

If efforts to do social work are couched in selfish motives then they will die a premature death. Why would my efforts get politicised? I have values I inherited from my father. He helped many. Anyone even a postman knocking on our door would get a glass of water and some sweets.

We had two rules growing up in my house: If you're going to take a shower do it with whomever you're dating so you don't waste water and if you buy one for yourself buy six because everybody's going to want one.

I wanted my children to have the same exposure to the water I had. My strongest memories of Northeast Harbor are going in a small Whaler with my dad looking for osprey.

How many women have the courage to start properly with a cold cold bath early in the morning? I jump in throw the water cold as ice and after the first plunge I am happy.

I remember in high school trying to get home from water-polo practice in time so I could see Happy Days on television when it first came on because I was so blown away by it. It was just such a cool thing.