Integrity – or increased attention to it – is in the air.

Witness Michael Vick’s finally owning up to his dog fighting, in spite of the heavy financial consequences.

Consider the increasingly louder drumbeat of dismay, over time, at Alberto Gonzales’ lack of leadership at the Justice Department, demonstrated in so many ways. That drumbeat from both sides, politically, and outside the United States, as well? It was so loud that it finally culminated in his resignation.

Global warming is finally forcing us to face facts about our energy usage, the damage it has created, and the speed with which that damage is accelerating as developing nations rapidly take on wasteful ways. "Head in the sand" time about the circumstance, and its consequences, is finally coming to an end.

The home mortgage market mess? It has many causes, as big problems often do. But one big cause is that many people signed up for financial commitments that they, or their lenders, suspected that they ultimately might not be able to afford. The “chickens have come home to roost” in this situation.

To the rescue, then?

Integrity, demonstrated in large and small ways, through courageous leadership, and innovative solutions to big, seemingly insurmountable problems.

Individual integrity will play into the solutions, too. Integrity, based on honesty with self, others, with one’s real and enduring values.

Integrity leads to sustainable, enduring solutions that are honest with the past, the present, and ultimately, as is needed with big challenges now, honest with the future.