Image courtesy of Naresh Ramchandani and Andy Hobsbawm/Green Thing
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Today, we're going to meet Naresh Ramchandani and Andy Hobsbawm from London. They recently started up a new Web site called Green Thing: an action packed social networking site which encourages people to do fun things in their everyday lives to help the environment. How did Andy and Naresh become Change Makers?Our names are: Naresh Ramchandani and Andy Hobsbawm.
We live in: London (3 roads away from each other).
We work at: Green Thing, which we founded together.
We used to work at: Naresh worked at ad agency HHCL in the -80s, co-founded St. Lukes in the -90s and Karmarama in the '00s. Andy has worked in new media since Web browsers were invented in '93. He co-founded Online Magic, which later merged with Agency.com, where he is still European Chairman.
The reason we created the Green Thing is: we're not engineers or financiers or technologists, but we do know about creative communications and the Internet. Green Thing is our way of doing what we're best at to make a difference.
With our work we are aiming to: mobilise the talents of a creative community around a programme of simple monthly actions to encourage as many people as possible in as many countries as possible to do the Green Thing. A community of Green Things across the world will not only make a sizable carbon dioxide saving, it will encourage governments and businesses to do the Green Thing too.
The most important eco aspect of our work is: making environmental action easier to do than not to do. Making it fun, social and irresistible rather than dutiful, scientific and onerous.
We are excited by what we are doing now because: we think Green Thing is a powerful idea that can really make a difference in the fight against climate change. And because we get to work with some of the most creative people around: artists, musicians, filmmakers. And because we get a lot out of working together-it's a very complimentary partnership (we give each other a lot of compliments).
The most challenging part of our work is: trying to make Green Thing the world's first must-have, defining environmental brand that mobilises a global community to do the Green Thing while also doing day jobs and the family thing.
The most rewarding part of our work is: seeing the results. Blogosphere reactions, creative submissions, community contributions, sign ups, actions, carbon saved.
The results we really want to see are: Green Thing to become a powerful movement in the fight against climate change. Green Thing to become everybody's thing.
We work with: fantastically talented, lovely human beings who volunteer for and contribute to Green Thing. This includes artists like Pete Fowler, and writers like Tracy Chevalier, and musicians like Howie B, and comedians like Simon Munnery, and directors like Matt Lipsey, and production companies like Partizan, and creative directors like Steve Henry, and designers like Daniel Weil, and environmental thinkers like Alex Steffen, and a bunch of folks too numerous and kind to mention here but listed here.
We were first made aware of environmental issues: by Andy's aunt and uncle in the -80s, well Andy was, but he didn't pay attention. It really hit home listening to people like James Cameron and others at the TED global conference in 2005.
One thing we do everyday is: Andy worries and Naresh obsesses. Apart from that we both compulsively check the site to see what the community is doing. Then there's creating content, prioritising new feature development, fundraising, thinking about how to make the site better. Looking at the stats, doing usability testing, listening to the feedback, and so on.
One thing we do every week is: think about the things we could do to make more of the fantastically creative content and features Green Thing needs to be the world's most desired and talked-about environmental initiative, which in turn will tempt as many people as possible in as many countries as possible to join the movement. Then we think about how to get the money or to beg, borrow and steal to be able to do it.
We wish we could: see (Tottenham Hot) Spurs win the (Premier) league-Andy, see Spurs relegated-Naresh. Oh and make the biggest difference we can make.
We think everyone can: be Superman if you give them the right telephone box.
Change Makers is series of interviews with people famous and obscure, who answer questions about how they are creating a more sustainable world through their work and personal lives. Meet more Change Makers here.
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