Northern lifestyle.

Traveling in Alaska is being constantly reminded of the power of nature and the allure of sustainability to Generation Y. Young people come to Alaska from all over North America to question our consumer culture and learn something from the indigenous people about "how to walk softly on the land." Some live in "intentional communities," similar to what used to be called communes, respecting animals as well as humans, and using few consumer products. Talk about global warming is frequent, especially in glacial areas. I was surprised to see that glacial streams and rivers were an unlovely, dead-looking grey instead of the pristine blue and green sparkling waters I expected, and too full of silt to support fish or any lower-in-the-food chain things like lichen that fish can feed on. With fish populations already struggling in so many parts of the world, the idea of major glacial melts does become alarming.

Happy Summer, Mona Doyle

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]