Global Inheritance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, California.
Since their founding in 2002 by Eric Ritz, Global Inheritance has produced interactive educational programming at festivals, universities, and other large events catering to young audiences.
History and origins
Founded as "FashionPeace" in 2002, Global Inheritance was envisioned by Eric Ritz as "an NGO advertising agency for mother earth and the improvement of mankind."[1] Ritz was frustrated with other environmental organizations that failed to connect with a broader audience, and wanted to create an organization that could connect with people from every walk of life.[1] In addition, he wanted to employ the power of music and art to inspire people, rather than focusing strictly on money as he had seen others do.[1] Ritz wanted an organization that would bridge the gap between environmental causes and everyday people, hoping to use creativity to spark an interest in the issues and inspire action.[1]
The early organization partnered with clothing companies and designers to re-purpose old clothing into designer outfits. Although that particular program is now only one of many, the spirit of using creativity to encourage and even glamorize sustainable living remains a foundation of the organization. Early partner companies included Diesel, Levi's, Miss Sixty, and American Apparel.[2]
Soon, Ritz was traveling to events to install environmentally-aware performance art like the Jiffy Pop tree at Coachella, and by the summer of 2009, Global Inheritance was able to hire two paid employees for the first time. Today the organization is run by a small staff and a cadre of interns and volunteers.[3]
Global Inheritance now runs approximately 25–30 programs a year for a variety of festivals, events, and companies.[1]
Past programs
Tour Rider
Global Inheritance partnered with Bill Silva Presents and Andy Hewitt in 2005 to bring Tour Rider to the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Concertgoers who used public transportation to arrive at the venue could stop by the Tour Rider booth to receive prizes in exchange for their environmentally friendly behavior. The Metro offered several options to arrive at the Hollywood Bowl, including a direct connection to the venue. Prizes ranged from museum and event passes to eco-friendly clothing and accessories.[4] Recent concerts that have featured the Tour Rider program included Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Roger Waters, Kings of Leon, among various others.[4] Tour Rider rewarded concertgoers for helping the environment and decreasing traffic congestion.
Alternative Energy Fuel RC Racing
Starting in 2006 at the ESPN X Games, Global Inheritance introduced a new program that allows participants to race miniature RC cars that ran on alternative fuels and power sources. If attendees could not afford a hybrid or did not have a driver's license, they were still allowed to race an RC cart powered by ethanol, biodiesel, or solar power.[5]
Environmentaland
Environmentaland was a theme park and environmental museum that focused on environmental issues and sustainable living through games, competitions, and exhibits. Located at the Hollywood & Highland complex (now known as Ovation Hollywood), which is also the venue of the Academy Awards, Environmentaland was the first theme park of its kind.[6] In addition to focusing on the impact of global warming through desert miniature golf and touring the eco-planetarium, visitors could participate in the energy playground, which featured a seesaw and Tour de Energy bicycles that generated power. Environmentaland facilitated adventures in self-powered activities as well, such as milkshakes made on bike-powered blenders and a hand-crank Pearl Jam listening station. Environmentaland also featured numerous events, including The Bigger Picture, a series of documentaries that focused on environmental and social issues.[7]
The Oasis Water Bar at Coachella (2013)
Global Warming Chess
Global Warming Chess immersed participants and players into a life-size game of chess where they are the chess pieces. The game was intended to demonstrate the volatile and unpredictable nature of the fight against global warming. Festival attendees were encouraged to watch as the two opposing sides maneuvered to eliminate each other and dominate the board. During each match, festival-goers competed against bands, a polar bear, or Halliburton's CEO. Donning costumes for each chess piece, participants were divided into sides representing the "causes" and "cures" of global warming. Costumes for the "causes" include Hummers as pawns, factories as rooks, coal as knights, lobbyists as bishops, trash as queen, and an oil derrick as king. "Cure" costumes included bicycles as pawns, recycling bins as rooks, solar panels as knights, scientists as bishops, a tree as queen, and a wind turbine as king. The Global Warming Chess program premiered in 2008 at the Virgin Music Festival in Toronto, Canada.[8]
Public Displays of Affection
Public Displays Of Affection (PDA) was launched in 2006 to recreate the way people in Los Angeles view public transportation. In another combination of environmental sustainability and the arts, Global Inheritance collaborated with various bands to reward public transportation riders. PDA took over major venues, including Union Station in Los Angeles, that are easily accessible by public transportation. Anyone with an incoming Metro ticket or bus pass was admitted free of charge.[9] The project aimed to prove that public transportation is a viable alternative to LA's car culture. Past concerts have included Ladytron at Hollywood & Highland and the Secret Machines with Shepard Fairey at Union Station.
TRASHed Art of Recycling
TRASHed Art of Recycling[10] was an artist-driven initiative that created art pieces using everyday recycling bins.[11] Since the 2004 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, the program has partnered with over 1,000 artists to create redesigned recycling bins. The recycling bins have since been moved into galleries, other music festivals, sporting events, and public gatherings[12] across North America, South America, and Europe.[13] After the events, many of the bins were donated to local schools.
POSTed Studio
Launched in 2017, the POSTed Studio[14] is an interactive design studio where individuals create poster concepts around social or environmental issues.[15] Professional designers transform the art created by individuals to build a library of issue-based poster art available to the public.[16]
