My Personal Look Back on the Anniversary of the Egypt Uprising

“The world is flat,”—a term used by Thomas Friedman.  To me, this means that we are all connected via instant communication.  In 2011, one example of this was global instant connect.  Young people discovered a flat world and found a global voice that said, “This is not okay.”  Of course, the local agendas had different twists, but the overall outcry was touched-off by the same phenomena—unemployment.  2011 was historically marked by the highest rates of unemployment among youth—(24% in Egypt, 50% in Greece, and 18% in the US)—according to Bloomberg Business Week, January 8, 2011.  There was a loss of faith in the system that used to promise our youth good employment after graduation from college.

Last year, I realized the impact of unemployment throughout the world while traveling in Egypt.  On January 27, 2011, I was caught in the middle of the revolt in Egypt. I was shocked by the violence and scared to death that I would be a victim to it.  I was stuck in my hotel, heard gunfire and smelled the smoke of the burning building all while huddled with my colleagues plotting our escape.  I was cut-off from the world.  I got to spend some time with the hotel staff and was equally as shocked at what I discovered.  ALL of the hotel staff—(I’m not talking about management. I’m talking about the people carrying bags to rooms, serving food in the restaurant and assisting behind the desk.)—not only had undergraduate and graduate degrees and spoke several languages, but ALL had two things in common: they couldn’t find any other jobs and they were thrilled to have these jobs.  By the way, they were sympathetic with the revolutionaries, but scared to take part.

What do these people in Egypt, California, New York and Greece have in common?  A crisis of faith in the system.  Listen up, Washington—Republicans and Democrats!  We won’t settle for the death of the American Dream.  We need jobs—NOW!

Dare to Go "Green" in 2012

Use this year’s resolutions to raise consciousness and also to really change your behavior.  We are coming out of one of the worst economic downturns in our lives.  Let’s use 2012 as a “do-over”–a look at our past should help to guide us to make different choices for the future.

There is no better time, then now…2012 will be a little different–we are going to add energy efficiency to our new list this year.  This is the best time to think about the environment and how we can do our part.  Let’s start with what I call, the ECO-Effect™.  This concept combines ECOlogy and ECOnomics together, so we can save money and resources at the same time.  In fact, my new book, ECO-Effect™: The Greening of Money, explains these concepts for parents and kids and gives you activities to help you also “ECHO” these ideas, so that parents talk to kids, to schools, to communities to the world to make it a better place for all living things.  How can you and your kids have your own “ECO-Effect™” for the New Year?  Start by showing your children your utility bills and let them come up with energy saving ideas.  For instance, it may be a good idea to turn lights off when you leave the room, or unplug all of those cell phone chargers and who knew that you don’t actually have to have a lengthy conversation with the refrigerator door opened?  Let the kids start this New Year by tracking the savings each month to really see your ECO-Effect™!