Interview: Damien & One Tree Planted

Damien Soitout's team sits down with Damien about his partnership with One Tree Planted to fight deforestation around the world.

In April 2019, Damien officially joined the environmental cause by partnering with One Tree Planted to combat deforestation on our planet.

OTP is a U.S. foundation dedicated to planting trees on every continent. The model is simple: one tree is planted for every dollar received in donations.

Q&A with Damien from the team about this new commitment:

1- Why partner with the environmental cause?

In my view, two resources determine how long humanity lasts on this planet. The first is the environment. Without it we cannot survive, and it is already badly damaged. Things keep getting worse.

2- What is the other resource?

Children. I am still in the process of signing with a foundation here in Mexico.

3- How long has the environmental cause mattered to you?

For a long time, really. Since childhood, I think. I was a Boy Scout for many years and have always felt a deep affection for nature. Part of our summer camp activities was cleaning forests, rivers, and trails outside the city. I believe that is where it started.

4- You have a family. How do you teach your daughters these values?

First, children copy their parents' behavior, the bad habits as much as the good ones. If they leave something on the floor at home, I do not let them leave until they pick it up and put it in the trash. At the beach, if there is trash near me I pick it up and throw it away. I never toss papers in the street, and so on. The school we chose for them is also strongly focused on this. They run programs that raise kids' awareness of climate change, the impact of waste on ecosystems, and more.

5- There are several foundations that help the environment. Why One Tree Planted?

I searched for a good while for the right partner. I found One Tree Planted online. My team reached out, and we set up a video call to get to know each other and talk through the details. I approached several others, but they were always huge foundations handling such large donations that they really did not need more help. I wanted this team because they are young, dynamic, and deeply committed, with a well-designed program. Even with major companies and brands supporting them, they are still a relatively small foundation that puts a much higher share of funds into planting trees than into administration. I believe it is important to help the smaller ones grow when they deserve it, as they do.

6- How are the donations handled?

It is very straightforward. The foundation has a page dedicated under my name where people can donate. It is linked on my website under the "Contributions" menu, or once this interview is published you can click the direct link to the fundraising page and OTP introduction. We receive nothing ourselves. Every payment goes straight to the foundation, and you can donate from just 1 USD. You can also set up a recurring monthly gift if you prefer.

7- Will they plant here in Mexico?

I am talking with government offices in the State of Mexico and Mexico City. One Tree Planted does not yet have a planting partner in Mexico, but if everything goes well those contacts will help them start selecting areas and delivering materials for planting. The goal is to help Mexico and every other region that needs it. The environment changes on a global scale. This is an international effort.

The Damien.Soitout Team

Further reading: One Tree Planted, Wikipedia.