JWR An interview with its founder and president, Kevin Richardson
Part Two

By Linda Hughes
January 26th, 2003 marks a very important day in the life of Kevin Richardson's environmental foundation, Just Within Reach. It was on this day two years ago that the foundation incorporated and to recognize this anniversary Kevin Richardson very graciously agreed to answer some questions that were sent to him via JWR Director of Public Relations, Vicki Hanna. The questions were submitted by a number of people from "Earth Loving Friends" and Kevin recently answered them via a phone conversation with Vicki Hanna while in New York rehearsing for his Broadway debut in "Chicago".

Question: How have your goals and dreams for JWR evolved since the foundation was first established?

Kevin Richardson: I think we all, meaning Jim and Vick too, have bigger dreams than we're able to achieve right now, mostly because of the economy and the fact that giving to non-profits is way down-it's down like 15 percent or more, I think. And we need help reaching out to other people and donors besides fans and existing supporters. We also need to reach people who haven't given much thought to the environment so we can educate them and bring them onboard. We've done a whole lot in our first two years, but none of us expected to have the challenge of a bad economy, 9/11, a war and those sorts of things. It's a challenge to get people to learn about the environment when they're preoccupied with a lot of others things in life. We aim high and we still have a big list of things we want to do�and we have a better idea of what it will take to do them�but we'll have the challenge of fundraising to deal with at the same time.

Question: How would you recommend for the public to change their lifestyle for the good of the environment?

Kevin Richardson: My advice to the public is the same advice that Ed Begley, Jr. gave to me. He said, "Start small and work up to doing more and more Earth-friendly things." It's easy to get overloaded by thinking of all the things you could do to improve the environment and your community. But the key is to start small and then include more practices as you go. You don't have to do everything at once. But you do have to do something. Anything. And then build on that. Maybe you could start carpooling once a week. Then after a while, start hosting clean-up events or join an environmental group or club in your state. There are lots of things you can do, but you don't have to do them all the first day. If you try to do too much too fast, you might burn out. I'd rather have you do what you can than take on too much and end up not doing anything at all.

Question: In your opinion, how is JWR pointing people in the right direction to learn more and to inspire them to create a healthy Earth?

Kevin Richardson: Just being available to answer questions and help people learn where to find answers to their questions is a big way we're helping. I think our Web site and E-Newsletter are a couple of the best things we have going, too. I think JWR sets a good example because we're not too far in one direction and we think we're pretty approachable. I mean, we have strong opinions, but we don't shove it down your throat. If you want to learn from us, we're here. We can't make people learn but we can be here to help them when they're ready. I'm still learning, too. We all are.

Question: Many companies are practicing "Progress and the Planet in Harmony". These companies have proven that industrial reform is good for the environment and good for profits. In your opinion, how influential is this information on a political level? Is Washington getting this message at all? How can we get them to listen and look at the facts and findings of these companies that show they are saving millions of dollars using sustainable energy and waste reduction?

Kevin Richardson: Before you even go there, you have to be careful when you talk about companies that say they are using sustainable energy and practicing waste reduction, because sometimes the facts don't back up the claims. There are some companies that have really tried to be progressive and some have been successful. But there are many more that are disguising their practices as being environmentally friendly when in reality they aren't. And no, I don't think Washington is getting the message from these businesses. I think it's going to take some more time before more companies see the potential good of environmental business and it will take even longer for their peers and the government to admit to seeing them. Businesses survive by making their customers happy. It's up to us as customers to tell them what they should do to make things better in our eyes. If we tell them what we want or demand, and if we start to support companies that do practice what we request, the change will become clear in the company's profit margin.

Question: What changes have you made in your life to live a more "environmentally friendly" existence?

Kevin Richardson: Besides being a spokesperson for environmental awareness in general, I've just tried to be more aware of how my everyday behaviors and choices affect the Earth. And I know I'm not perfect and that I could do more-most people can always do more. Besides recycling at home, I try to limit my water use by cutting down time on my showers and things like that. We're also installing solar panels on our new house so we can depend more on the energy of the sun and less on gas and other fuels. And when my car dies, I'm hoping to get a hybrid or hydrogen-powered car to replace it.

Question: *Submitted by the 9 year old daughter of one of our members. * What do you do when you are at home, where you live, to support your community and to help clean up the environment there?

Kevin Richardson: I'm never in one spot for very long, but when I am home, I recycle and buy locally grown products and produce. I buy organic foods. When I can, I go to the events of other environmental groups and support other organizations' efforts. The celebrity that helps me get the word out is sometimes hard to work around. I wish I could do more "hands-on" activities in my own community, but it tends to create a disturbance when I go where there are big crowds. But we're working on that. I hope to attend a cleanup or trail clearing sometime this year.

Question: Have you or would you consider going to college to earn a degree in environmental science, biology or some other life science to help boost your credibility in the eyes of politicians, the media and others who question your "qualifications"?

Kevin Richardson: Did Vick tell you to ask that question? She keeps mentioning that idea to me off and on. She keeps encouraging me to go to college and get a degree. I may do that one day-I don't know. It's been a long time since I've been in a classroom and had to study like that. The best I can do right now is surround myself with experts and people who can teach me about the issues so I can convey them to the public and to kids. I do like to learn and read and I think anyone who can pursue a higher education should try. That's one reason we provide scholarships for environmental science and marine studies. Maybe I could get a JWR scholarship one day!

Question: Do you have an "environmental" mentor?

Kevin Richardson: I've learned a lot from Bobby Kennedy, Jr., of Waterkeeper Alliance and from Teri Blanton who is on our Board of Directors and is a member of the Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. I got a good introduction to the environmental fight by Erin Brockovich, but I'd have to say at this point, Jim Hanna is probably the closest thing to a "mentor" that I have in the environmental area. He's a good teacher and he knows his stuff. He's an environmental chemist by trade but he's also personable and he's willing to take time to explain and give examples of how complex processes apply to every day life.

Question: Where do you see JWR in 5 years? In 10 years?

Kevin Richardson: With the economy the way it is and with the lack of funding for non-profits, it's hard to say where JWR will be in 5 or 10 years. I wish I could guarantee where it will be, but it's not just up to me. It's up to all of us to have a vision for where JWR will be. Given that we're headed into a major battle where our government and business leaders don't seem too interested in making a change for the better, it'll be a challenge to keep people's attention. And it'll be difficult to attract the kind of funds we need to not only survive but also thrive and grow. I hope that JWR is strong and healthy and making a big difference in the lives of people all over the world within 5 years. I hope we're funding more projects, educating more kids and families and making more resources available to everyone. I hope we're funding more scholarships and raising more hell with people who don't take the time to understand the importance of protecting the Earth.

I'd like to personally thank Kevin Richardson for taking the time out of his busy schedule to answer all of these questions. Happy 2nd Anniversary to "Just Within Reach"!

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