While it is debatable whether environmental/conservational values have made it into the "mainstream" of American culture, the evidence yesterday in Pasadena during the Rose Parade was encouraging.

The Rose Parade is one of the most uber-American traditions, with marching bands, rose-covered floats, and equestrian clubs travelling from across the country to participate. This event attracts hundreds of thousands to visit Pasadena, and millions tune in to view the parade on television. The theme of this year's parade was "Our Good Nature," and many floats incorporated a strong environmental theme. More importantly, every person in attendance who obtained a parade guide was exposed to concepts such as water conservation, recycling, and other everyday solutions to our environmental problems.

That such an event would embrace environmentalism as its overarching theme shows great promise that society is becoming more attuned to these issues. Here's hoping for more of the same in 2007.