"Scientists by definition think with their heads, not their hearts...so we tiresomely lament the dire reality of the likely fate of the planet and its peoples given current trends.  Astrid has always been determined to fight the best fight possible to try to change these potential outcomes and help create a new reality of hope.  She isn't naive, but rather pleasantly persistent.  Even most determined skeptics are moved a bit by the very large heart in her small personage.  Helping save the black-footed ferret from extinction was her first professional job after graduate school...and she has continued to provide similar enthusiasm wherever she has traveled."