Betsy Taylor, Center for a New American Dream

Betsy Taylor is executive director of the Center for a New American Dream in Takoma Park, Md.

I awoke at 5:30 a.m. to catch a 7 a.m. train to New York City. Back to work! Off to raise money to keep the Center moving. I still find this dance of fundraising interesting to observe, almost as a third party, even as I'm in the midst of it. I've been either raising money or giving money away for most of my adult life! First for 10 years in the nonprofit sector as a supplicant, then for eight years running foundations and advising wealthy families, and now, once again, as the less powerful party at the table.

In my next life, I'll join with a choir of others to offer a critique of this world -- of those funders who have no humility or empathy or real grasp of the risks so many people take. I'll also point to the minority who really get it -- who know how to give dollars (and personal support) with deep sensitivity, kindness, intellectual rigor, and strategic hungering.

Today I met with two of the good guys, so it was a pleasant experience. Hopeful about securing grants from both sources. Always useful to be forced to summarize the Center's mission, objectives, and expected outcomes. Tough, given our daunting mission and 25-year time horizon.

I spent both three-hour train rides doing work -- reviewing a new report, "Why Consumption Matters," that we plan to publish in May. For once, the cell phones didn't completely dominate the Metroliner! Reminded anew of how vital it is to redirect consumption patterns. The report summarizes some of the key findings on consumption and its impact on the environment. Collapsing forests -- connected to our wood and paper consumption. Climate change -- connected to our per capita energy consumption. Water shortages -- connected to our meat-based diets and agricultural practices. Congestion and ground-level sprawl -- connected to our appetites for large houses and large vehicles. One in eight plants is now threatened, largely due to habitat destruction that is partially connected to our consumption patterns.

Snow greeted me in Takoma Park -- a joy to see some white stuff. First of the year. My husband says it's time for bed, so the diary is a goner for today.