Keeping it green with Plant-A-Tree-Today’s Andy Steel

Few have a passion for the environment like Plant-A-Tree-Today Foundation (PATT) founder and director Andy Steel. What started as a simple project initiated in Bangkok in 2005 to plant trees has turned into an award-winning environmental awareness initiative with projects that span the globe.

Not bad for a former navy engineer with a fondness for rugby and beer.

We met up with the Bangkok-based conservation leader to find out more about PATT and get his take on some current environmental issues.

CNNGo: What is PATT is about and what are you trying to accomplish?

Steel: Our mission is to encourage, support and enhance community-based indigenous forestry. We also work to enable successful climate change programs and socio-economic development initiatives for local communities and biodiversity conservationism in SE Asia.

CNNGo: What was the ‘Aha!’ moment when you decided to start PATT?

Steel: I was working in the Sri Lankan power industry and realized I was playing quite a big role in polluting the atmosphere. It dawned on me that we needed to make a change; to collectively step up and do something to make a difference, so I relocated to Thailand and started work in the forestry sector. I launched a website to make it simple and cost effective for people to donate online to have trees planted, and it just grew from there.

CNNGo: Most people like the idea of being green, but consider it hard work. What keeps you motivated?

Steel: I still have the same motivation as I did on day one, as I believe we have to take care of a future we cannot see -- it’s not about us anymore! I have two kids that are growing up as part of the global green movement, and they get it because they’ve grown up with it. Unfortunately many middle-aged individuals don’t get it or just don’t care because it doesn’t affect them. And of course, I also enjoy working on PATT projects so when I’m collaborating with our guys and creating new initiatives I’m in my element.

CNNGo: There are a lot of environmental programs out there. How does PATT stay relevant when people are often jaded by overexposure to green initiatives?

Steel: We are constantly coming up with innovative ideas to get our message out there and motivate others to act. For instance, we’ve had great success with our Eco Kids mangrove planting programs, mostly because kids love to spend time knee-deep in mud. Also, this year we won the United Nations SEED Award for Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Environmental and Social Development, which meant recognition at the highest level for our work with carbon banks and sustainability projects. We also look at biodiversity losses, watershed management and replacing indigenous species on degraded land, which we interlink with micro-finance programs to help eradicate poverty.

CNNGo: On a scale of 1-10, where one is ‘admirably committed’ and 10 is ‘militant environmental fruitcake’, how would you rate people who chain themselves to trees?

Steel: As long as they water the trees I have no issues! Everyone has a choice in life and can choose what they want to do and how they should act. So I’ll take the middle ground and give them a five. As long as they aren’t disrupting the peace or causing a public nuisance, let them be.

CNNGo: What’s your reaction to the recent leaked data that shows that many scientists have been fudging numbers to prop up environmental causes? Is Al Gore pulling the wool over our eyes?

Steel: Maybe it's propaganda and maybe it's not, but does it matter? We know from our work on the ground that it isn’t just the scientists that are ringing alarm bells. Village populations and farmers can plainly see that weather patterns are changing. I don’t think the parched and dry villages where we work are concerned if some numbers have been tweaked and quite frankly neither am I. We have a job to do, right here, right now..

CNNGo: How frustrated do you get when the clerk at the ubiquitous Thai 7-11 puts every purchase, no matter how small, into a turtle-choking plastic bag?

Steel: Very frustrated; they give you bags and straws for every item you buy! It’s so maddening because large retail outlets can actually save costs by reducing the number of bags they give away. Individuals can also say no but most just accept it and then throw the bag in the bin outside, even though they know it’s not a wise move. Collectively it makes a difference if we all adopt an attitude of change.

Click here to find out about volunteer opportunities with PATT.