Green Hero: Danny Seo

More Asian Americans than ever before are becoming pioneers in the sustainability movement. Because of this, we are running a series to recognize all the Asian American “Green Heroes” in our community. First to be recognized is Danny Seo – a Korean American and a former Washington, DC resident who promotes the green lifestyle through books and TV shows. Seo is the author of “Upcycling” and the author of a nationally syndicated newspaper column: “Do Just One Thing.” We talked to Seo about telling his parents about his vegetarianism, making a bar out of recycled wood pellets destined for the trash heap, and why Asian Americans should go green.

Danny Seo: I share the same birthday as Earth Day (April 22nd), so it was hard not to notice that my birthday was also a holiday celebrated about the gloom and doom about the planet.

As a child, all of this negative news inspired me to try to give back and make a difference.   In my childhood, I started an environmental group called Earth 2000 with the mission to save the planet by the year 2000 (it was 1989 when I started the group).  It grew into the largest teenage environmental group in the country.     It wasn’t until I was 19 did I realize there was such a thing as “lifestyle.”     What seemed normal to me—to live in a nice home, eat good food, dress well but all with style and sustainability—-was something totally new to everyone else.   So by teaching my how-to ideas and projects to others, I realized I could still be an activist but through a whole different venue: lifestyle.

Asian Fortune: What is your ultimate green dream?

Danny Seo: To take away the stigma that going green is like taking medicine: it’s good for you.   Nobody likes to take their medicine, so I approach green living from a forgiving, lighter point of view.   There is no soapbox and there is no high impossible standard I am preaching.    I just want people to feel empowered to try a little or a lot of the things I talk about and feel good about doing it.

Asian Fortune: Why should Asian Americans care about green?

Danny Seo: I think deep down, every person cares about the environment.   It’s not even a question anymore if anyone cares.    It’s more about what you do vs how much you care.

Asian Fortune: Some Asian Americans feel like going green is not economically viable or not important…what would you say to them?

Danny Seo: Like anything in life, you have to shop around and see what’s out there. I have a Ford C-Max Energi car; it’s a plug in hybrid that gets over 100MPG and costs less than $700 a year to power up (compared to around $2500 for a normal car).  It was super affordable and I just love the fact I haven’t been to a gas station in months.

Asian Fortune: What is one thing that Asian American families can do today to go green?

Danny Seo: Think big.   Getting a new refrigerator?   Go for the most energy efficient, right sized model and make sure your old fridge gets recycled.

Don’t sweat the small stuff when it’s the big picture things that have the most dramatic impact.   So think about your diet, transportation, how you invest, and how you take care of your home.   Those count.

Asian Fortune: What’s the wackiest thing you’ve  upcycled?  

Danny Seo: Old wooden pallets from the trash heap from a home improvement store.  I painted them and stacked them outside on the covered porch.   Made it into a handy bar.    And of course shot it for my book Upcycling Celebrations.

Asian Fortune: What is your parents’ opinions/reactions to the work that you do?

Danny Seo: I never went to college, so in an Asian American household, that’s a big deal.    But now they realize I had a destined path in life and I’m following it.

Asian Fortune: Funniest story?

Danny Seo: I became a vegetarian at age 12 and announced it to my Mother who does not quite have a good grasp on the English language.   She said it was impossible for me to be a vegetarian because my birth date would make me a Taurus.    She thought Vegetarian was an astrological sign.

Nominate a Green Hero! If you know of an Asian American who is making waves in the green scene, nominate them to be profiled in the next issue. Send their bio to editor@asianfortune.com or send us a message on Facebook or Twitter.