George P. Mitchell named in “Top 100 Global Thinkers”

Sustainability: most important

Jay Blazek Crossley, Dec 08, 11.

George P. Mitchell was named one of the “Top 100 Global Thinkers” by Foreign Policy magazine. Founder of Mitchell Energy & Development Corp, Mitchell is the man who pioneered shale gas drilling in the US by developing the hydraulic fracturing technique that has triggered a shale boom in America, and also around the world.

But in a recent profile in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mitchell says these accomplishments are only secondary to his real passion: sustainability.

“There’s no doubt this nation is strong because of oil and gas,” Mitchell told the paper. “But sustainability is the most important thing I’m working on.”

Houston Tomorrow received a challenge grant from the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation to support our work on sustainability issues. The foundation has challenged us to raise $50,000 before December 31, 2011 for a 1:1 match. With the help of over 100 donors, Houston Tomorrow has raised $37,615 toward the challenge grant. With less than $13,000 left to raise in three weeks, we are asking all of our supporters, newsletter recipients, and friends to dig deep to put us over our goal.

Mitchell told the Philadelphia Inquirer, ““If we don’t start waking up, in 2050 we’re in trouble, because you’ll have nine billion people worldwide,” he said. “And if you can’t make the world work with six billion people, how can you make it work with nine?”

To make your contribution to the challenge grant fund, please click here. Your donation will be matched by the Mitchell Foundation to support Houston Tomorrow. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Proctor at 713/523-5757 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)