Our 5: Rob Irwin, Brett Maurer, and Paul Quick, reThread

Rob Irwin and Brett Maurer wearing reThread hoodies in Denver. Photo: Courtesy reThread

Blue Planet Green Living asked reThread‘s Rob Irwin, Brett Maurer, and Paul Quick two questions we like to ask everyone we interview. Here are their collective answers, given by Rob Irwin. — Julia Wasson, Publisher

5 Ways to Save the Planet

BPGL: What are the five most important things we can do to save the planet?

reThread says, "...Thread the word." Photo: Courtesy reThread

reTHREAD:

Education. Educate yourself and carpé diem, sieze the day. But be careful how you educate yourself. Make sure it is from reputable sources. There’s a lot of greenwashing going on, especially at the beginning of this trailhead – and I think we still are at the beginning. We are under global commerce now, and every choice you make in your lifestyle affects everyone in the world.

Analysis. Analyze your own life. How do you define your happiness? How necessary are the things in your life? Can you, by getting rid of things that aren’t necessary in your life, reduce your impacts? Getting rid of stuff actually clears your physical quarters — and your mental quarters.

Relationships. Removing the clutter allows you to spend more time with the ones you love, build friendships, and make memories. It also enables you to have relationships with the earth and seasons, and adjust your lifestyle seasonally and geographically. For instance, a couple of months ago, I was kind of haphazardly grabbing some things at Vitamin Cottage. When I got up to the register, I looked at this pear, and it said, “Peru.” And I thought, “Whoa. Here I am buying an organic pear, but it’s from Peru — so it’s shipped from 10,000 miles away.” I’d like to buy locally. Maybe I can’t buy these avocados, because they’re from Guatemala. Or maybe I only do it so often.

Communication. There are a lot of communication barriers now. We really rely on technology instead of face-to-face interactions. This interview is a prime example of that; but [technology] allows you to convey a lot of information. Sharing of ideas, knowledge, wisdom, and education has a very important and integral role to the furthering of the ideas in society.

Empowerment. A lot of people feel they are not empowered, and they feel like they can’t change much. Complacency is detrimental to a culture that needs to change. Believing in the power of one — and your ability to make a difference and act — is the fifth most important thing. And I’ll leave on the note of quoting Margaret Mead in saying, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

2 Minutes with the President

BPGL: If you had two minutes with President Obama, what would you say?

I’d first congratulate him on the maverick role he’s taken in the White House. It seems like he’s really balanced in a lot of issues. So I think that I would first congratulate him, then also remind him that the popular choice is oftentimes not the right choice to move a country in the correct direction. I would tell him to stay steadfast and continue on course as far as making global changes and putting U.S. on the map once again as a true global leader in shifting the world.

Julia Wasson

Blue Planet Green Living (Home Page)

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