1. What drives your environmental work and activism?

My work is driven by my desire to leave this world in a better state than how I found it. To me that means tackling the biggest man-made threat this planet has ever faced – climate change. Climate change is expected to drastically disrupt the world we live in with the worst effects borne by those least capable of adapting to it. It is our responsibility to be good environmental stewards and ensure future generations are able to enjoy the same natural wonders we have been able to.

2. What was one of your most exciting and rewarding achievements?

A couple years ago I attempted the “3-Peaks Challenge”, an effort to hike the tallest mountain in Scotland, England, and Wales all within a 24-hour period. My friends and I were able to raise over $6,000 for ShelterBox – a charity which sends immediate relief aid to victims of natural disasters.

3. Who is your hero (or someone you admire greatly)?

One person I have come to greatly admire is Bear Grylls who is most famous for his TV show, “Man vs. Wild”. I admire him if nothing else but for the fact that he climbed mount Everest less than 2 years after breaking his back from surviving a skydiving accident in Africa – all before he was 24 years old. How many people can say that?!

Another personal hero of mine is NFL quarterback Tim Tebow. I am amazed by how often he has been able to prove his critics wrong and be able to succeed at every given opportunity. He has a willingness to never give up and has demonstrated himself to be selfless person both on and off the field.

4. What are your favorite and frequently visited websites?

I am a big sports fan so I find myself checking espn and nfl.com to keep up with all the latest sports news. I also enjoy finding good deals on craigslist and ebay.

5. What is a tip you’d like to share for leading a more sustainable life?

In some areas of the country, transportation emissions account for the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions. As an alternative to driving, taking public transportation is often more convenient, safer, and cheaper than driving your own car. I try to take public transport at every opportunity, or otherwise look for ways to carpool with others.

6. What is your opinion of the Obama administration’s environmental record?

I’m disappointed more was not done during Obama’s first term to address the need for a national carbon trading program. However, I am optimistic that California will create a roadmap for what a successful system should look like that might later inform the foundation of a federal program.

7. If you could spend one week in a natural area in the U.S., where would it be?

I have been to many of the U.S. national parks but so far I’ve missed out on arguably the most magnificent of them all – Yellowstone National Park. It was the first to be established and I have heard great things from friends of mine who have gone camping, hiking, and fishing in one of the most beautiful areas in the whole country.

8. What is an environmental book that you think should be required reading in schools?

Eaarth by Bill McKibben. The reason for the unusual spelling in the title is to convey the author’s message that the planet is recognizable, yet not the same as it once was as a result of human influence on the environment. However, the book provides a great deal of hope and logical steps towards correcting this problem with technologies currently available to us today.

9. What is your favorite meal?

I like all sorts of food – Thai, Mexican, Indian, even haggis! I will try just about anything once. But if I have to choose, nothing beats a good steak dinner!

10. What is something about you that your professional peers would be surprised to learn?

I used to drive an SUV that got 15 miles to the gallon *GASP!*