Meet Seth Warren, Director of Nature Propelled, the Documentary

It's a classic tale. Boy grows up immersed in nature. Boy feels overwhelming duty to help protect it--and inspire others to do the same. If only everyone could be such an outdoors enthusiast, like Seth Warren, who professionally kayaked for ten years before deciding to capture his natural playground (as he likes to call it) on film.

In 2007, he directed Oil + Water, which followed the longest-ever petroleum free road trip and now, most recently in Nature Propelled, Seth draws the connection between the planet's natural elements, renewable energy, adventure sports, and how people can harness these three to power-up their lifestyles for the better.

In addition to bringing his message to the big screen, Seth travels North America in his veggie-fueled vehicle; Baby, teaching the public and youth about how live more sustainably. This mobile advocacy project of his is called the Elements Tour. And when not busy with this, you'll likely find him out in the elements: skiing, surfing, kayaking, hand gliding, and practicing his most recent passion--paddle boarding.

Planet Green: How did you get into this line of work?

Seth Warren: As a professional kayaker for ten years I was privileged to travel the world and pursue my passion in some of the most amazing locations on earth. I always felt extremely fortunate but it wasn't until I matured a bit that I fully realized that opportunities come with a responsibility to do something positive in the world. I want to live up to that.

PG: What was your "a-ha" moment?

SW: I met a doctor in Uganda in November 2004 who was helping people on the front lines of a war zone. We also shared a passion for kayaking. I was deeply impressed by her ability to enjoy life and immerse herself in nature even in the midst of such horrific circumstances. I admired her sense of balance. I learned that you could make a positive contribution in the world and do serious things while still taking time to recognize beauty and actively celebrate life.

PG: Who is your green hero?

SW: Dylan Brophy, future green inventor. Dylan is 8 years old and represents exactly whom I'm trying to inspire and who inspires me. He loves nature, wants to protect it, and is driven to make a difference in the world. One of his ideas is to create robots that clean up garbage in the ocean. He'll probably do it.

PG: What is your ultimate green goal?

SW: My goal is to inspire as many people as possible--especially kids--to love and respect nature and to develop a passion for protecting our natural playgrounds. I also want to inspire the next generation to create solutions to the environmental problems that have been forced upon them.

PG: What is your motivation?

SW: My motivation comes from trying to maintain a hybrid life. Balance between playing, creating, and caring for the world. If one of these elements is missing then it's harder to keep motivated, so keeping that balance helps me stay focused in life.

PG: What is most important to you, ecologically speaking?

SW: My inspiration comes from nature, so protecting the natural wonders of the planet for future generations is most important to me. To fully respect, value, and understand nature people must immerse themselves in it, so I feel it's important to inspire others to get outside. Experiencing nature helps people understand why the natural world is worth protecting and helps them realize that the more we lose, the less chance we have to save the rest.

PG: What is the most challenging part of your job?

SW: Inspiring and convincing those too set in their ways that protecting the planet is important.

PG: What is the most rewarding?

SW: Working with uninhibited minds and those who think about what could be.

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

SW: People who repurpose trash into something useful and who generally keep things out of landfills.

PG: What green thing do you do everyday?

SW: I eat fresh, local, organic food.

PG: What do you wish you could do?

SW: A student at a school I once visited said he wanted to invent a photosynthesis machine that pulls carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and emits oxygen. I wish I could do that.

PG: What is your biggest eco-sin?

SW: I consume a lot of gear that I use for outdoor adventures.

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

SW: I would get all nations to work together--rather than against each other--to solve pressing problems that affect all of us.

PG: What is your best green advice?

SW: The more you offer the world the more it offers back.

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.