At what time did you realise you were going to lead an environmentally friendly life? 

It came naturally. My parents weren't environmentalists, but we grew up in the country and had a certain sensibility and practicality for how we use resources and give back to the world. I think I just took it to another level <smiling>.

What is your biggest environmental concern? 

That we'll rouse ourselves to the compounding issues far too late in the game. I'm obsessing less over specific, esoteric environmental issues and more on the tangible, power and potentiality within. Humanity is a bit comatose - or at the very least - somnambulistic. We need to move from a reactive society to a proactive society.   

What are your suggestions for dealing with this issue? 

Give people worth, purpose and a reason to care. I think this is best done by connecting people with things that matter to them - health, wealth, jobs, family, prosperity, fulfillment.

What is the most exciting environmental project that you have been proud to be involved with? 

The climate change movement spearheaded by young folks all over the world - namely the work through the Energy Action Coalition; and the sustainable development and design work with Allan Schwarz over at the Mezimbite Forest Centre in Mozambique.

What sorts of eco projects to you want to get involved with in the future? 

That's three-fold: More large-scale ecosystem-based management projects. More programmes that give people greater opportunity to be empowered and make a difference; and clean energy-green jobs work in my community as well as nationally and internationally.

What small steps can we begin with to make the planet a healthier place? 

Start integrating small changes in the things that we do on a daily basis. For instance, what we eat, what we wear, what we put on our body, how we shower, how we take transport, what we throw away... and of course a much often overlooked but imperative point: How we can change our outlook, point of view and attitude. If we believe we will make a difference, then we'll see that happen. An ancient Arab proverb stated, "The eye is blind to what the mind does not see," which basically translates into: Believing is seeing.

Photo Credits
1) Jon Dennis
2) Annouk Morgan


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Published by: Chronicle Books
Distributed by: Southern Publishers Group
RRP: $49.99

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