Meet Kevin Danaher, Co-Founder of Global Exchange

If you're a fan of fairly traded French Roasts, tea leaves, or chocolate treats--you're a fan of Global Exchange. The San Fran-based non-profit Global Exchange has been helping deliver these yummy social, economic and environmentally-responsible goodies since 1988 when co-founded by Kevin Danaher.

With the organization's large focus on fair trade--an integral aspect to the green movement--it's no surprise that Kevin, an economics guru, helped bring it into being. The veteran activist got his start working in policy after receiving a doctorate in sociology from the University of California in Santa Cruz. In addition to growing Global Exchange he publishes books (his latest is Building the Green Economy: Success Stories from the Grass Roots), lectures and executive produces Green Festivals.

How did you get into this line of work?

I published about 10 books on the global economy (World Bank, IMF, WTO) and realized that the solution to the dominant economic model was the local green economy. Local ownership does not guarantee good corporate behavior but small businesses are much easier to change than large corporations.

What was your "a-ha" moment?

There were many a-ha moments but they were emotional rather than rational. Seeing babies in refugee camps in Africa die of hunger-related diseases; meeting very bright children in poor countries where you knew those kids would not get a decent education; and seeing the lives of Americans transformed when we took them on Reality Tours to the countries that provide us with our coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, bananas, etc.

Who is your green hero?

William McDonough, the green architect/designer, is one of my heroes because his book Cradle to Cradle set a whole new standard for green thinking.

What is your ultimate green goal?

I would like to create a global network of green buildings that combine affordable housing for teachers and green economy centers with: GreenMart eco-malls, youth centers (Green Guardians/Green Ambassadors), eco-gyms, community meeting rooms, and lots of education and organizing for social change.

What is your motivation?

Trying to achieve a state of unconditional love.

What is most important to you, ecologically speaking?

Ensuring that every child gets clean water to drink and enough nutritious food to thrive.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Trying to raise enough money so we can pay ourselves decent wages even though we work for a non-profit organization.

What is the most rewarding?

The most rewarding moment is when people come up to me at Green Festivals and say, "Thank you for organizing this event; it changed my life."

Of the people you have worked with, who impresses you most?

For 25 years I have been fortunate to be married to Medea Benjamin, a co-founder of Global Exchange and Code Pink: Women for Peace. She is the most amazingly tireless human dynamo I have ever met. I am in awe of her tactical genius in political struggles, and she has been a powerful partner in raising our two daughters, Arlen and Maya.

What green thing do you do everyday?

Ride my bike.

What do you wish you could do?

I wish I could shape shift. Shape shifters are beings who can change their corporal form to a snake or a tree or a bear or an ant. You get it. As a shape shifter you would be able to attend secret meetings of the global elite by becoming the proverbial fly on the wall (just don't get smacked), or you could get into those $1,000-per-plate fundraising dinners by shape shifting into a caterer.

What is your biggest eco-sin?

Eating too much ice cream. Eat enough of it and you will die of congestive heart failure or some other fat-induced ailment. Plus, there are millions of people around the world who have never experienced the joy of ice cream and it would be nice if I left some for them.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

Eliminate suffering of all living things.

What is your best green advice?

Believe in yourself and believe in the global values revolution that is changing our world from one where money values rule over the life cycle, to one where life values rule over the money cycle.

Change Makers is series of interviews with people famous and obscure who are creating a more sustainable world through their work. Meet more Change Makers here.

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