Interview: Eric Ritz

Founder and director of Global Inheritance,the American NGO based in California

Young people collecting cans for Global Inheritance

Global inheritance is a website collective that allows American young people to participate in its efforts to raise awareness and promote activism in areas like the environment and culture.
How did it begin?

Global Inheritance originally launched as Fashion Peace in December of 2002 with the idea of creating thinking over conflict in an attempt to solving world imbalances and redefining the way youth culture looks/participates in activism -  (The name eventually changed to Global Inheritance with Fashion Peace becomeing a campaign under the Global Inheritance umbrella). I left my job 3 months later and spent a year and a half sleeping on my office floor so I could focus on building Fashion Peace and getting the word on the street.I came up with the idea while working on the TRUTH campaign (A popular US based  anti-tobacco company campaign). I've always enjoyed working on cause based projects. I produced benefit concerts in college and got my start in the music industry by booking a successful benefit concert that included speakers from the Surfrider Foundation, Sierra Club, People for Trees and Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species. I always looked to create events that attracted a mix of personalities and lifestyles. The biggest priority was empowering people. Not preaching a message but supplying people with information in a creative way. The TRUTH campaign did an excellent job with delivering their message without telling people what to do. Kids really responded well to this method. After a few years with TRUTH, I felt that more causes need to be reintroduced in creative way and that's when I decided to launch Global Inheritance. If you visit the Global Inheritance website, check out the Fashion Peace website area http://www.globalinheritance.org/fashionPEACE/index.html and you view some of our earliest campaigns and ideas.

Could you describe some of your recent projects?

Portal Potties - Southern California about killed me...but people at Coachella Music Festival loved each one and the whole experience about learning California's music history through portal toilets http://www.globalinheritance.com/portal/portal.html
 

We are developing a new program this minute called eSAT that focuses on developing really brilliant looking environmental artwork for public schools. We want to work with designers from around the world and provide free signs to schools in every language that promotes everything from recycling to conserving energy. I’m really excited about the alternative fuel races using rc cars. Also...solar powered pimped out Golf Carts should be interesting. We don’t normally develop campaigns that target youths and senior citizens. Question 3 - What have been the most successful projects to date,in terms of positive and active effects?I'd probably say the TRASHed program (both the TRASHed: Art of Recycling and TRASHed Recycling Store) because recycling is something everyone can relate to on any level. Not every person has kids or drives a car...so you're talking to a limited audience. With recycling, everyone consumes in the United States and is presented with decision of recycling or putting things into the trash (which ends up as landfill). TRASHed is also very interactive so every participant walks away with a positive feeling and even compensation for their time. You can view one of our recycling bin festival galleries at http://www.globalinheritance.org/trashed/coachellaGALLERY/eventPIX/index.htm 

Some people in Europe criticised Al Gore's attempt to raise environmental awareness through a film documentary, arguing that 'no solutions' are ever offered at the end of such critiques.
How do you think the American people can create solutions without the help of their government?

Solutions are out there...it’s called the internet. Google is a great first step. You can learn a lot on how to change your lifestyle to benefit the environment in 30 mins of web surfing. Also common sense is a big one. People know what's right or wrong...but we live in a lazy society that thrives off instant gratification. If people have to walk 1 mile to recycle their bottles...it's probably not going to happen. Same thing with public transportation. People usually pick the easiest route unless it dramatically effects their pocketbook. I know that in LA people hate taking buses. It's all about driving your car. If you drive during rush hour...the carpool lane is absolutely empty. I think people need to hold themselves responsible. People are driven by money...but it's not that exciting if you’re the richest guy in the garbage dump. We need to look forward and think as individuals but take action as a group.

And with the help of their government?

The government wants to do good...but they are still ruled by interest groups and big business. If people vote out politicians that are dodgy or who are passing negative or environmentally damaging bills, then change will happen by default. This takes place when voters have a more vested interest and begin researching their local/national politicians and pick public officials based off their past deeds and policies (vs. Their hollywood background or looks or last name). Once this takes place, then we will have made a huge step in the right direction. The people need to set the agenda and use the power of the vote. Quality over quantity. If people take less in the short term....our actions will be repaid in the future with long term benefit.

Los Angeles is renowned for its sky-high pollution levels and car/oil dependency. However it is precisely this highway culture of gas
stations and chevy's that the rest of the world pay homage to in fashion and pop culture. In Paris at the moment there are several exhibitions celebrating Los Angeles and presenting it as the new culture destination.
Do you think this interest will help LA in its fight against pollution? Or is it locking it further into a legacy of sugar-coated reality?

When it comes to the environment, California and Los Angeles are awesome...but it's like comparing a serial killer to a bank robber. Bank Robber says hey...i'm not a serial killer, those people are the worst. What the hell is a bank robber? Mother $#%@ Teresa? California needs to continue to raise the bar. I don't believe in pats on the back until the bank robber puts every penny back with interest. If he lost some of the money in Las Vegas...well he should figure out a way of makeing money to repay the past debt. I believe California can be the leader in the pack when it comes to supporting the environment and passing bills to reverse the environmental damage we've created over the last century. We just shouldn't be celebrating now. There's a long road that we need to travel first. If Paris and other cities are looking at Los Angeles as a cultural hotbed...it's even more important that LA uses this opportunity to tell the world...we've screwed up (meaning LA and the rest of the world), we need to take full responsibility and we are going to give 110% to flip it in the right direction. Inspiration is a very powerful tool. If everyone is loving Los Angeles this second... then we need to set an example. There's an _expression in LA...Big Hat, No Cattle. Well right now we have the cattle...so lets talk the talk and walk the walk.

Initatives at music festivals like Coachella or Solidays (a french music festival that raises awareness for AIDS and NGO's) seem like a great way of informing and involving young people in humanitarian action, but
how do you think one can get through to older generations?

Our rule of thumb is to not guilt people or tell people what to do. We provide the information and the facts through avenues that different subcultures or generations can understand. How we target a 15 year old teenage is entirely different than a 55 year old looking to retire.
I also talk to my father who is super smart guy...but is also very conservative. He's in his early sixties. I think older people want to feel young and to understand. When they don't understand...they feel old and try to create separation. It's not going to happen overnight....but we need to continue to paint ideas through different eyes on how to solve global and environmental issues. Like Al Gore's film An Inconvenient Truth. I think we really need a urban/hip hop version. Or even a NASCAR version because most people who love NASCAR...probably are not huge Al Gore fans.

In your opinion what are the USA's biggest social concerns at present?

There's always room for improvement. No one's perfect...nor should we be. It's not that long ago that we wearing cheetah skirts and running from saber tooth tigers. I think mankind has really grown up. We just need to function as a society as a whole. We shouldn't try to type cast everyone and everything. We should listen to everyone. And just because someone is rich, famous and/or good looking doesn't mean they are enlightened or have the answers. I think socially, we place value on the things that mean the least in life. We are all guilty of being influenced by shallow motives. There's a balance of self and community. The media has a tendency to push the "self" elements heavily. Rather than being interested about building a new park down the road...people are more concerned about the neighbor owning a bigger television than their own. Life is like a good bottle of wine. If you pour slowly and enjoy...you really appreciate the world and everything it has to offer. If you finish off 10 bottles in a sitting...you're out of control and headed for serious trouble. I think society is drunk off about 6 bottles of wine this minute. However, if we take a couple steps back, turn off the cell phone, put our priorities in order and eat a few pieces of bread to absorb the alcohol...our minds will become clear. We have the potential to provide a great life for everyone...we just need to sober up.

You can read more about Global inheritance at www.globalinheritance.org or www.myspace.com/globalinheritance