Men Doing Wonders Series - Germain
This year, to celebrate the month of Father’s Day, we asked men that running impactful enterprises and are part of our Ethical Lifestyle Hub Directory, what is driving them to lead a business with purpose. Those we highlight are men of strength, compassion, and resilience - working toward bettering the world around them as well as being a Father or mentor. This blog highlights Germain Briand of Urban Canopee
Urban Canopee designs solutions to accelerate city greening by providing the benefits of an overhead tree canopy where trees can not be planted. We are on a mission to make tomorrow's city greener, more liveable, beautiful and resilient to the effects of climate change while reconnecting people to the beauty and many health benefits of nature.
Tell us about you and why you started your organisation
I started Urban Canopee purely out of passion. I love nature and I have always loved the concept of bringing nature back in the city to reconnect people with it. We collectively unfortunately live way too disconnected from the rest of the living world which, in my opinion, is not helping with the many challenges we are faced with advancing in the 21st century. We need to be in contact and wonder at the beauty of nature, it will help us feel better but also grow wiser as a society.
What encouraged you to set up an impactful business? Why?
I am a very curious person. Over the last few years, I have been researching to try to understand the reasons for all the social and ecological troubles we witness. Armed with my new found knowledge, the only logical next step was to want to play my part in contributing towards a better future. I also really believe in business as a powerful vector for change. We can not single handedly change the political or global economy systems, but at our level, business is certainly a good place to start.
What impact do you hope to achieve through your business?
I am hoping to make our cities places that are resilient in the face of climate change while engaging city dwellers with nature and its beauty for the benefits of all, people and nature.
What legacy do you want to leave behind for the planet and people?
Beyond the business side of things, I really just want to show up on the right side of history, to have contributed positively to the natural world and people. I also want to assist in creating the shift in our perception of nature. To look at her as a guide and teacher rather than a simple background to our life, a pile of resources and a big rubbish bin. There is so much to be done out there to achieve a sustainable and regenerative future, I will simply be proud to know that I have played a little part in it!
To learn more about Urban Canopee, visit: https://www.moralfairground.com.au/urban-canopee
Become an Ethical Lifestyle Hub Member today : https://www.moralfairground.com.au/ethical-lifestyle-hub-membership