– We want to act because we must. There is no other option. The time is now.

Charles Gifford Post and Rachel Pohl just became CHOOOSERs.

First, who are Charles & Rachel?

– Charles Post is an ecologist, filmmaker, environmental brand consultant and storyteller. Born and raised on the foggy coast of northern California, Charles spent nearly a decade studying ecology at and for UC Berkeley in wild landscapes on the west coast of the US. – Rachel is an artist first and foremost. Her paintings and pursuit of inspiration have sent her around the world and atop some of the globes tallest mountains and wildest corners. They met in 2017, and now live in southwestern Montana on 10 acres of grasslands and aspen trees amongst the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

When did you first get engaged in the environmental and climate crisis?

– I, Charles, first became interested in environmental science back in 2002 when I began learning more about our changing planet as a high school student, and specifically how the salmon and streams in my community were being affected. Once I connected the dots, realizing that the world's wellbeing was and would impact my home, I realized I had to be part of the solution. Rachel began engaging with the environmental and climate crisis in 2006 when she adopted an eco-friendly lifestyle as a freshman in high school. Her family had always lived this way. She decided she would bike to school, shop at second-hand stores and create awareness in her local community around ways to reduce impact.

Why act? And how?

– We want to act because we must. There is no other option. The time is now. We don't have another 100 years to get it right, to slow and hopefully reverse some of the drivers that are destroying nature and the ecosystems that maintain life on Earth. We act through art, films, social media, speaking engagements, photography, podcasts and collaborations with other like-minded groups. We have cultivated powerful opportunities to create positive action and change. Personally, we try to live sustainably. We are re-wildling our land, planting natives, creating wildlife habitat and incorporating wildlife friendly fencing. And of course, we try to be smart with our purchasing choices and votes, keen to support those doing the best work well.

Rachel Pohl and Charles Post

Why did you decide to join CHOOOSE’s offset program?

– Because we wanted to hold ourselves accountable, acknowledge that our travel had an impact and that we could make choices to reduce and ideally offset our impact.

What are your tips to others on ways to help combat climate change?

– Eat locally. Grow and harvest your own food. Avoid fast fashion. Buy durable cloths. Fix them when damaged. Keep your car for years. Avoid buying the newest one time and again. Or better yet, bike, take public transport, walk or run where you need to go. And of course, if you travel a lot like we do, offset your carbon. Support organizations, brands, politicians and community leaders doing good work, and committed to taking the environmental and climate crisis seriously. Hold these people accountable. Contribute. Use your voice and dollars!

Tell us about your trip to Lofoten & the beach cleanup?

– This spring, Rachel and I spent nearly a month in Norway. Towards the second part of our trip, we found ourselves at Nusfjord, a small community in Lofoten. We immediately met a group of amazing humans who called this incredible corner of Norway home. Our stay grew from a few days to almost ten. We explored the area, hiked, swam, boated, fished and had so many amazing conversations. We also noticed the marine debris. In certain places, it was piled thick, mostly in windward coves and nooks up the coast from the fjord. So, on our second to last day, Rachel and I decided we had to give back, and do something. We spent a full day collecting trash, packing in tubs and bags, and hauled them, one by one, over a mile back to the road, where we filled our rental car. We then made multiple drives to Nusfjord to dispose of the trash in a dumpster they made available to us for this cleanup! And it just so happened that Nusfjord was leading their own cleanup in the fjord. So, together we gathered well over 1000 pounds of trash!