You Don’t Have to Wear it to be Green!

Do you ever feel like the green movement is a bit overwhelming? So many new products and studies pop up and someone yells, “Wait! THIS is what it means to be green!” At times, well, yeah, it’s confusing. So, what does it mean to be “green” and how do you do it?

According to Robin Pharo, author of the book You Don’t Have to Wear Hemp Underwear and president of Healthy Homes, it’s all about finding your niche.

I recently caught up with Robin and she graciously made time for a Q&A.

1. Can you give our readers a brief overview of who you are and what you do?

My job is to help people and companies think differently about the choices they make, whether it is about how they build, what they buy or what they produce. So for my builder clients, that means finding a way to increase the energy, water and resource efficiencies of the building they are building. For a company, it may be finding a way to create a product using a recycled material. Or for individuals, it may be finding ways to reduce the amount of chemicals in their houses as part of a remodeling project.

2. What inspired you to write "You Don't Have to Wear Hemp Underwear"?

Throughout my work, I kept getting asked questions from my clients. Things like “Should I sell my car right now to buy a hybrid?” “Do you really think people want to know where I buy my food for the restaurant?” “Doesn’t it get overwhelming to have to know all this stuff to make a product choice?” And I realized that people were confused and frustrated with the “green” movement and they were looking for someone to make things easy and relevant to their lives. Information that helped them instead of making them feel guilty that they didn’t use all natural deodorant and only ride a bike to work.

3. In a few words, describe the book. What is the general message that you want the book to get across?

Learning how to fit earth-friendly choices into your life -- not changing your life to accommodate how others think you should live.

4. Which personality type are you? (As identified in your book.)

I am definitely a BikerMentalist. Not only am I an avid motorcyclist, but I think I look at the world a little differently. I believe we should make choices that are right for us personally and not worry about what others think about us. That is why I ride my motorcycle to business meetings. It makes sense for the environment, with the 65 mpg the bike gets and it forces me to slow down and enjoy life a little bit more. Of course, that means I sometimes where jeans to meetings, but my clients have come to envy that instead of being concerned with what I’m wearing.

5. Where did your personal "green" story begin?

One of my long standing jokes is that my parents raised me to start this particular business. As a child, they built two homes that included a lot of my own “sweat equity”. The first one, in particular, had a huge influence. It was a passive solar design with active domestic hot water. Moving from our small, dark home to this light, inviting house made a big impression on me. My mom took great time in explaining the benefits of light in the home and why they designed the house this way. Also, we spent time touring all “alternative” designs throughout the country, from a bermed home development in Cross Plains to one of the first Net-Zero homes in Florida. I never saw this at the time, of course, but it all ended up having a big impact on my personal and eventually professional life.

6. What are you most proud of so far in your life?

I’m really proud of the business that I’ve built, not for the typical reasons. For me, the pride comes from being able to tell my son that in my own way I’m helping save the North Pole for Santa Claus. Also, because the business allows me to have the flexibility to spend tons of time with my family. Four of my family members work in the business and I have designed my work to be done anywhere and at anytime. That means I can spend more time with family and less time behind a desk at the office.

7. You've been granted the power to change one thing in the world. What is it?

I wish we would learn to find our similarities instead of our differences. If we as human beings could focus on this we might be able to agree to disagree on some issues but respect each others right to hold those beliefs. I guess that means I want to make everyone in the world an optimist.

There you have it folks – insight from a pretty cool chic, if you ask me.

Has Robin piqued your interest a bit? Why not check out her book – it’s listed on Amazon for $12.92 (new). In addition, check out her website, www.ResourceRobin.com.

Thanks, Robin!

By: Gingerly Green of Two Girls Go Green (@TwoGirlsGoGreen)