I am an economics student at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.  Last year I came back to school after taking five years off to work in the outdoors.  During that time of doing outdoor education, widerness recreation and wilderness therapy, I paid little attention to what was going on in the world.  In the wilderness it is very easy to believe that what happens in society doesn't matter.  When I started paying attention again last fall, I was shocked to learn how quickly global warming has been accelerating.  In studying economics, I have also realized the disgraceful extent of inequalities in the world and the economic system which promotes that inequality. 
     Throughout the last year I have struggled to find a constructive persective on the state of the world.  While my newfound awareness has often resulted in despair or anger, it has also generated a tremendous motivation and hope.