One of the biggest problems we face in attempting to resolve the issues faced by the Gulf Coast in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the failure of the levees in New Orleans, and the more recent impacts of hurricanes Gustav and Ike is communicating the facts and severity of the situation.

Right now I am in New York City on a podcasting gig for the advertising industry. I was brought in by colleagues because it is an industry with which I am unfamiliar. My perspective as an outside voice and fresh take on things were the original reasons I was brought in. It is not at all what I expected.

This event is huge, involving the top people in advertising across the nation. As the days go by and I do more and more interviews with the movers and shakers in the field I am seeing and hearing about an amazing amount of socially conscious efforts including a number related to poverty and climate change.

I have discovered that this industry is full of an incredible number of creatives working towards the greater good. As an interviewer from New Orleans I have ended up having numerous conversations in which I’ve had the opportunity to help educate people about the trials and issues that are faced in the storm zone.

I am increasingly of the opinion as these days go by that outreach aimed at this sector is something that needs to be high on the list of “must do” actions. From Publicis and the ONE Campaign to David Droga, who conceived and execute the TAP campaign for UNICEF, I have seen the big wheels moving towards positive social change.

At a time when the mental and emotional fatigue of my experiences running from Hurricane Gustav loom large for me, and for all in the effected areas, I have found a second wind by listening to those who are accepting no limits on what can be achieved by those who shoot for the stars.

I think that engagement can be created and the public mobilized towards the resolution of the issues faced on the coast and around the world. It is all about reaching people.

That is one of the reasons why I blog.