In the Tuesday elections, the Democrats won control of the House and the Senate, spelling good tidings for the environment. With occasional exceptions amongst the Republicans (like now-ousted moderate Lincoln Chafee), the Dems are traditionally much better stewards of halcyon skies, amber waves of grain, and purple mountain majesties. Speaker of the House-to-be Nancy Pelosi is on the record as supporting global-warming legislation.

One of the most inspired green visionaries of our time, last year's Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maatha, is promulgating a timely message