Mr. Kenji Shino, the Director of Environmental Programs at Patagonia from Japan, was invited by the B Corporation Asia Association to participate in the 2017 Second B Corporation Asian Annual Meeting as a keynote speaker. DOMI Earth seized this opportunity to further interview Mr. Shino about his views on the environment and sustainability. What are you waiting for? Let's dive in!
Patagonia's Director of Sustainability, Inspired by Nature
Having worked at Patagonia for over 25 years, with half of that time devoted to environmental and sustainability issues, Mr. Shino spent much of his childhood playing in nature, interacting with animals, and insects, hiking, and swimming in the ocean.
This initial connection with nature is what sparked his concern for the environment, a concern that grew as he witnessed urban development and environmental degradation in Japan. Changes such as diminished wildlife populations and transformed landscapes, with some areas turning into industrial sites, motivated him to make even a small difference. Mr. Shino believes in the power of individual actions.
This passion for nature also led to his encounter with DOMI Earth, where he met Corey, the founder of DOMI Earth, at an international conference in Japan last year. Their similar backgrounds and immediate rapport led to a lasting connection.
The Intersection of Environmental Sustainability and DOMI Earth
Mr. Shino explains, "At Patagonia's environmental department, there are two main functions: sustainability, which means reducing unnecessary expenses and waste through operations, including energy, water, and natural gas, and initiating action-oriented programs to protect Japan’s natural habitats."
These initiatives include addressing issues with dam construction, protecting Japan's biodiversity, and preserving urban forests. Patagonia strongly supports non-profit work, further emphasizing its commitment to environmental protection.
Within Patagonia, there is a blog where employees regularly post articles about their learnings or sustainability efforts. Mr. Shino has spearheaded the 'Zero Waste Program', while others explore various topics. This internal knowledge sharing, including guest lectures by experts, highlights Patagonia's emphasis on environmental responsibility.
Mr. Shino sees climate change as one of the most crucial global issues, not just in Taiwan, where everyone must take action. As he noted, Patagonia focuses on climate issues and plans to organize new climate events to raise awareness and inspire action.
Mr. Shino highlights; in recent days, my interaction with DOMI Earth has been incredibly enlightening, inspiring me to apply the creative ideas learned to new activities. I've discovered that DOMI Earth's products incorporate numerous innovative materials within a friendly and accessible environment.
Particularly, I am keen to delve into the energy-saving traffic light system concept and other technical aspects. From a non-profit perspective in Japan, this represents an excellent tool for fostering collaboration and advancing sustainable initiatives in the country.
Educational Impact on His Daughter and Her Worldview
Mr. Kenji Shino, a father of two, places great importance on their learning environment. A casual conversation with Corey led to a unique learning opportunity for his daughter, Minori. Last year, she interned at DOMI Earth for a month, an experience that profoundly affected her. During her internship, she designed a project for university students, introducing them to the energy-saving traffic light concept and involving them in hands-on activities. The experience, she shared at a conference, made a lasting impression on her, empowering her to realize her potential to effect change in others.
This year, to make up for the brief duration of her previous encounter, Minori has chosen to extend her internship at DOMI Earth to a full year, hoping to gain a deeper understanding and engage more with various aspects of the organization, gaining further experience in environmental and energy initiatives.
During our recent interview, we asked them to describe what DOMI Earth represents to them. Minori said, “I find DOMI Earth to be vibrant, passionate, gentle, and sincere. When I first arrived in Taiwan, I didn’t speak any Chinese, but the warmth and support from everyone were truly heartening.”
Kenji added that having his daughter intern here feels like she is at home, surrounded by family and friends in a joyful environment. He is not worried about her because modern communication tools like LINE or Skype allow for instant contact, although he mentioned that her mother might be more concerned.
He hopes that through this internship, Minori will broaden her horizons, articulate her thoughts more freely, and actively choose her path of learning to become a part of broader change.
Finally, when asked why he supported DOMI Earth for two weeks in Taiwan, Kenji happily explained, “I wanted to experience the planning process of the B Corporation Asian Forum and how Corey and DOMI Earth engage participants. I hope to take this experience and learning back to Japan to energize the B Corporation promotion committee there. Next time, I hope more people will participate, which will have a greater impact on sustainable development.”
Interview Final Messages
Kenji: "I am very grateful for this opportunity to come to Taiwan, not only to visit old friends but also to meet many new ones. I hope there will be opportunities for future collaborations with DOMI and that this can inspire more people in Japan to engage in environmental actions. Thank you to DOMI Earth for your hospitality."
Minori: "Thank you everyone for taking care of me. I still have much to learn, and I will continue to do my best in the coming days!"
