Morgan McKean is a women dedicated to the idea that sustainability and glamour can go hand in hand. Her hugely popular website and video blog have gone some way to showing how an eco-lifestyle can be more accessible than a lot of people would think. She kindly agreed to take a few moments out from her Laguna Beach life to answer some questions for us:
Was there one moment or one thing that made you decide to commit to a greener life?
I grew up in a fairly sustainable household. We were already recycling, watching our water and energy consumption, and reusing several household items. That said, there came a ‘tippping era’ for me more than a tipping point. It started when I was about 6 months pregnant with my son and went to get a manicure/pedicure at the salon and the smell of the toxins made my stomach turn. After doing research, I realised those smells where due to the high level of toxins in the products.
Motherhood requires so many decisions in such a short time, and because you’re researching what’s best for your baby (or I was), you take in an abundant amount of information about products, how they interact with your baby, our bodies, homes and environment. Watching disposable diapers and jars of empty baby food stack up sent an awareness through me that got me living even more sustainably.
We noticed that you approved of Prince William and Kate Middleton driving off in Prince Charles’ eco-fuelled Aston Martin, do you drive a similar car?
I wish! (smiling). My car is more eco-fuel efficient than some, not as much as others. I do carpool when I can, do all my errands in a particular location on the same day and try to walk whenever possible to my destinations.
Do you worry for the future of the planet and what do you think is the best way to improve people’s awareness of sustainability issues?
When I first started this process, I was less worried about the planet, because I was less aware of our impact than I am now. Now, I do worry! (ALOT)! Worry about how fast we consume our resources without replenishing what we are using. Worry about the emissions, pollution and other toxins we let seep into our environment and water. Worry about why the collective conscious isn’t more concerned with how we’re losing animals to extinction because their habitats are deteriorating as a result of our behavior.
There are two broad angles to explore when it comes to educating people about sustainability. One is for those who come from a place of emotion, that like to jump on the latest trend or bandwagon, for them we need to let the education sink in through osmosis, as some people wouldn’t learn until the ‘sky is really falling’! If you evoke emotion around it, make it ‘cool’, fun, and accessible, they’ll buy the sustainable product and reduce their consumption habits naturally.
Then, there are those who need the facts. These people need to be reached from an intellectual perspective; by watching the news, surfing the web, reading magazines like this one and taking in documentaries that share credible resources.
If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life what it would be?
Vegetable Cashew stir-fry with yellow curry or teriyaki sauce and rice noodles.
How do you think USA and England compare on the eco-meter?
Oh you do want to put me in a compromising position don’t you… (chuckling)! Well, I believe all of Europe, including England are far more eco-minded than Americans. From driving smaller cars, nurturing home gardens, recycling more consumer goods and banning toxins in personal care and beauty products. We are still learning here and will need more education to understand how our current lifestyle habits affect us, the planet and future generations.
Is there one tip you could give people trying to turn to a more sustainable living style?
Start where you feel most comfortable. If turning off the lights and unused appliances, or taking shorter showers, is easiest to apply to your current lifestyle then start there. If you’re a foodie, when you go to the store, be more aware of buying organic products, it’s all about baby steps, and when you create these accomplishments for yourself, you will feel naturally encouraged to do more.
What are your future plans?
Thanks for asking. Early this year I brought on a business manager to handle my eco-licious lifestyle brand and will be launching a new version of my website to include; videos, a re-branded blog and other helpful resources for people wanting to go green glamorously later this month (May).
Also, we are currently in development on a green-living reality show, moving into an all new eco-friendly office space by the end of the year, and will be offering branding, P.R. and social media exclusively to eco-friendly companies by Summer.
