Emily "Alix" Fano, PS 166
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Moms are by nature, super powered multi-taskers. Emily "Alix" Fano exemplifies this. She isn't just an expert in Urban and Environmental Policy (holding a Master's degree from Tufts) or a published author (she penned Lethal Laws). She's diligently working toward greening her two children's local public elementary school, as co-chair of PS 166's Green Committee.
In addition to championing a No-Idling Zone for her school, distributing green cleaners into classrooms and launching a textile recycling program, she helped spearhead a green fundraising event called Big Green Halloween. This, thanks to Alix and her committee members will include composting, recycling, organic and local treats, minimal waste entertainment (think contortionists, magicians and cupcake decorating) and a partnership with 350.org--Bill McKibben's campaign to fight climate change.
How did you get into this line of work?
In the late 1980s, I began volunteering with John 'Diet for a New America' Robbins' organization, Earthsave, which informs people about how their food choices impact their health, the environment, and the lives of the animals raised for "food." At that point, I realized the interconnections between spiritual, health and environmental issues. This realization has continued to influence the choices I've made in my life; it guided me when I wrote my book, Lethal Laws.
What was your "a-ha" moment?
I am constantly having a-ha moments. A group of us have spent the last several months planning a green fundraiser at our kids' public school. Our aim is to produce as little waste as possible, compost and recycle, and not sell water in plastic bottles. It's been very challenging to pull this off with integrity because--a-ha moment #1,065--our society is just not set up to support all of these goals yet. But if we're successful, maybe we can teach other schools how to have green events!
Who is your green hero?
My uncle Myron, who passed away in 2007. He was a quintessential environmentalist before it was cool. He lived frugally, bought only what he needed, and wore out his clothes. He didn't own a car and walked everywhere or used mass transit. He ate all his meals in coffee shops and carried a silver spoon in his wallet so he didn't have to use plastic. He never wasted food; when he ate apples, he ate the seeds and the stems.
What is your ultimate green goal?
To get mandatory environmental education into every K -12 classroom in New York City.
What is your motivation?
My children and our collective future.
What is most important to you, ecologically speaking?
There are too many issues to list, but the destruction of old growth forests is at the top of my list. I was devastated to learn that New York City is the single largest consumer of tropical hardwoods in the world. I think our self-proclaimed "green mayor" Michael Bloomberg should enact a law to stop these imports immediately and offset the harm our city has caused by purchasing an equivalent area of rainforest in Brazil and placing it under permanent protection from logging.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Waiting for change: I believe in action, and I have very little patience for talk; if I see a solution to a problem, I want it implemented yesterday. Sometimes change takes forever--even when the solution is obvious--and that's extremely frustrating. And then sometimes laws are implemented, but then they're ignored.
What is the most rewarding?
Knowing that in some small way, my actions have (hopefully) helped to make the world a better place, and that my children are learning to be environmentally conscious too.
Of the people you have worked with, who impresses you most?
I have worked with so many people who have impressed me, but these days I'm blown away by the parents at PS 166 who volunteer countless hours of their time behind the scenes--as treasurers, gardeners, event planners, grant writers, and committee chairs--to make our school a better place for our children.
What green thing do you do everyday?
I drink out of stainless steel water bottles and I don't own a car.
What do you wish you could do?
End violence and suffering.
What is your biggest eco-sin?
I feel that just by existing and consuming, I'm committing eco-sins every day. I think one of my biggest eco-sins is that, despite what I've read about the connection between mobile phones and the disappearance of the honey bees (see below), I still use one.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
I would enact a ban on new cell phone towers and on the expansion of any wireless technologies that could threaten the survival of the honey bees. If they disappear, agriculture as we know it will collapse. An increasing number of scientists believe that cell phones and cell phone towers are to blame for the bees' decline due to their extreme sensitivity to magnetic and electromagnetic fields.
What is your best green advice?
Watch Annie Leonard's 'The Story of Stuff' and consume less.
More on Green Schools:
How to Go Green: Back to School
How to Go Green: School Teachers
How to Green Your Kid's School
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