As a practicing forester, both internationally and locally, Gerry Hawkes has been concerned about the effects of air pollution and climate change on trees and forests for more than 50 years. More than 30 years ago he decided that he must step out of his comfort zone as a successful consulting forester and do what little he could to mitigate the atmospheric change that is threatening forests around the world.

After considering various options, he settled on inventing, developing and manufacturing products that encourage less polluting ways to travel and work. With limited personal funds and no outside investment, he developed and began manufacturing compact bicycle parking and security devices to make bicycling more convenient then developed and began manufacturing structural plastic modular path systems to quickly provide high quality bicycle and pedestrian path systems with minimal construction disturbance. Unexpectedly the structural plastic panels have found a global market as rapid deployment tent flooring and outdoor permeable surfacing. More recently Gerry has developed and constructed equipment for controlling invasive woody vegetation without the use of herbicides. He has also developed a line of Wheeled Hand Tool Systems as an alternative to using polluting small engines for moving heavy objects.

At this presentation Gerry will explain the pitfalls and successes of this bootstrap approach and working with contract manufacturers. He will also outline a number of opportunities and the urgency of collaborating to translate opportunities into profitable and effective mitigation.