I’m cuckoo for the environment. In fact, each of my Doyle & Fossey: Science Detectives books has a story that is related to the environment, whether its habitat destruction or saving mini-penguins from oil spills. Typically, my environmental activism is limited to my household or to my desk where I plot my next Doyle & Fossey escapade. But on this St. Patrick’s Day, my environmental activism took me to the hallowed halls of my state capitol building in Olympia, Washington.

Climate change is a hot topic, and in this legislative session, it was no exception. I signed in, slapped a neon green environmental sticker on my sweater, and then opened the door to the chamber. It was wall-to-wall people; standing-room only. Big industry representatives were crammed shoulder-to-shoulder with us “greenies.” There was nothing for it but to wade my way through while apologizing profusely until I found a few feet of unclaimed floor space. Lo and behold, there was Governor Gregoire just ten feet away speaking to the House Ecology and Parks Committee in support of the bill. When she made a particularly potent statement in support of tougher environmental controls, us greenies burst into joyful applause. The representatives on the committee looked a bit taken aback, as if they hadn’t noticed us greenies until that moment, squished together as we were, plastered with neon green. (Perhaps we were leprechauns that had magically popped over from Ireland.)

I stayed for several hours, long after the governor had left with her entourage of security officers. I didn’t give any speeches (although it was allowed). I didn’t refute any arguments. I wasn’t brilliant in any way, other than nodding my head at just the right times. But, I was there. I showed my support in a tangible way. I showed my support at a time when big business overwhelms us little guys who are just trying to make a difference in the world, for the world.

Afterward, when I walked up the marble steps and craned my neck to gaze up at the huge dome, I was overwhelmed to once again realize what a great country we live in. To be a little person (even a green little person), and yet to have the right to step into the place where laws are made, where futures are determined, and make my views known . . . this is what makes America great. Maybe even St. Patty would have been proud.