Making sustainability accessible to accelerate our progress towards a healthier future with 1% for the planet's kate williams
What are some ways in which nonprofits can really shine and accomplish things that even purpose-driven businesses may not be able to? Why is it so important for sustainability to be inclusive of everybody, no matter our backgrounds, abilities, differences in beliefs, or accessibility?
Sharing her wisdom with us on this episode is Kate Williams, the CEO of 1% For the Planet, which is a global movement inspiring businesses and individuals to support environmental nonprofit solutions through annual membership and everyday actions. In addition to bringing experiences from her past leadership along, she believes strongly in the power of collective action. Let's dive in.
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This is a conversation on Green Dreamer Podcast with Kaméa Chayne, a show exploring environmental and intersectional sustainability from ideas to life. Subscribe to Green Dreamer on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or any podcast app and let’s learn what it takes to thrive in every sense of the word!
Highlights
[2:18] What first inspired Kate's passion for nature.
[3:42] Kate's path to becoming CEO of 1% For the Planet.
[4:55] Kate: "It's about protecting places, but it's also about engaging a broad group of people all over the world—and how do we most effectively do that?"
[5:50] Kaméa: "What's been the most important thing you've learned about how to bring everyone together to reach a broad audience?"
[9:20] The structure and mission of 1% For the Planet.
[14:43] Kaméa: "What's been one of your most challenging moments so far as CEO of 1% For the Planet?"
[17:27] The key to 1% For the Planet garnering so much support from individuals and companies alike.
[17:58] Kate: "1% For the Planet represents an action that everyone has access to."
[19:46] Kate discusses the importance of inclusivity and accessibility within the sustainability movement.
[20:01] Kate: "No matter where you live or how much money you have, you are a human on this planet that we share—so we need to take that into account."
[23:14] Kate: "There are some structural difficulties within our society, but I do really believe in the power of good people making good choices and making commitments and building relationships around those, and sticking with it."
[23:53] Kate discusses the power of the nonprofit sector and its ability to go where for-profit businesses cannot.
[25:35] Kaméa: "What do you think are our most urgent issues that we need to prioritize in 2019?"
[27:51] Kate: "It's really easy to feel overwhelmed, and that's why it's important to maintain a tether to how you can take local action and begin to understand how that fits into the larger issues."
[28:17] Kaméa: "What do you think is holding us back most from being able to tackle climate change on a national or global scale?"
[30:35] Kaméa: "For us as individuals, what are some of the most impactful and easy things we can do to make a difference?"
[30:56] Kate: "There's always something you can do, and among those things, I think it's really important that people choose because you're going to stay committed to the thing that's right for you."
Keep in Touch
1% For the Planet
Website: www.onepercentfortheplanet.org
YouTube:@1percentfortheplanet
Instagram: @1percentftp
Facebook: @1percentfortheplanet
Twitter: @1percentftp
LinkedIn: @one-percent-for-the-planet
Tips
Inspiration: grist
Note to self: “I am incredibly fortunate to get to work on behalf of the planet."
Health practice: "I wake up really early and I meditate and run outside."
Sustainability practice: "I have shifted to eating a plant-based diet."
Element of hope: "The 1% For the Planet network."
Closing words: "Everyone has a 1%. Think about what is your 1% and how do you want to give that to create change?"
