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But social justice and the environment are very tied together in my head.

To begin with, I've always known that I was a little bit different. And, I have a lot of relatives who own farms. I grew up in the American South where political issues and issues of justice were at the forefront. What I do now is a combination of all these factors.

Social justice is what drives me; it's why I'm here.

I was really educating myself on the environment, but I didn't realize it was so connected to politics, connected to globalization.

I grew up in a mostly Buddhist environment.

I always knew that I was going be an environmental advocate when I was very young.

I really did have a very egalitarian upbringing.

Growing up, I went to many schools, and I had to fit in to many different types of environments with totally different social groups. It helps me out as I move from job to job.

It is my conviction that becoming economically and socially vulnerable puts you at the mercy of people surrounding you. It is as if you no longer exist as a human being and are no longer worthy of respect.

I grew up in a world where the social democratic state was the norm, not the exception.