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Each month we will ask a new eco-maven 18 questions about his or her life, occupation and advice for other like-minded people. This month we decided to do something a bit different, as we approach our second anniversary, and do a compilation of answers from the interviewees over the last two years. All we can say is WOW! As we took this stroll down memory lane, we felt very humbled and grateful to have had such an amazing group of people–actors, athletes, authors, chefs, comedians, designers, farmers, green activists and visionaries– join us on eco18 and sit through our (long) interview! We hope you’ll take some time to not only read through this, but click-thru to the full interviews for a little extra inspiration.
Do you have a “green” memory growing up?
I grew up in the west and witnessed the disappearance of open land. The disappearance of small family farms in communities. Witnessed first hand the industrialization and creation of factory farms and GMO foods. – Matthew Modine, Actor and Green Activist, Twitter: @MatthewModine
What’s your favorite meal?
I love eating so this totally depends on my mood. I’d say the Squash dinner with cauliflower & mashed potatoes with strawberry shortcake, at Peacefood Cafe in NYC, which just opened a new location closer to me in Union Square! Their strawberry shortcake is the perfect mix between savory and sweet. The squash dinner is like thanksgiving but feels so good for you too. – Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, VAUTE Couture, Twitter: @Vaute Couture
Who/What inspires you to be more “green” in your life?
My father. I didn’t know what “being green” meant when I was little, I just wanted the dollar bill that came with recycling. I have kids ages 3 and 5 now and I feel it’s my responsibility to instill the same traditions and values in my children. I believe it’s important to start teaching children at an early age and as the parents, its our responsibility to educate and pass on that knowledge. – Michael Clayton, NFL Star, Twitter: @MClayton83NYG
Where on the “green scale” do you fall?
Far from the bottom but far from the top. I, like everyone else, try to do better every day. – Sara Snow, TV Host and Author, Twitter: @sarasnow
What are the most rewarding and most challenging parts of your job?
The most rewarding part would be hearing instantaneous laughter from a crowd. If we can figure out how to convert that energy into electricity, we could build a green comedy club!
The most challenging part of my job is traveling so much and being away from my kids… oh wait. I don’t have kids. – Esther Ku, Comedian/MTV’s GirlCode, Twitter: @EstherKuku
Where’s your “greenspot”: food, bodycare/beauty, oceans, home or neighborhood, explain:
Oceans for sure. I grew up in Southern California and the Ocean was our backyard and playground. You could always tell a local beach from one that was public as we would never dream of leaving any trash or waste there. We were so proud of our beaches and we took care of them as they took care of us. For me it’s about cleaning up the oceans and beaches so that the gyres don’t get bigger and the waters stay clean. – Lauren Conrad, XO(eco), Twitter: @LaurenConrad
Where do you turn for your news?
Oh, it is a mixed bag! The WSJ but I also read The NY Post and sometimes the NY Times and I go online to everything from CNN.com to LA Times and sometimes I will “indulge” in things like PerezHilton! I also of course check out all the health and food sites as much as possible. I try to read or at least scan the headlines for 45 minutes in the early am and then whatever else I can get to each day. – Keri Glassman, RD and Author, The New You and Improved Diet: 8 Rules to Lose Weight and Change Your Life Forever, Twitter: @KeriGlassman
What is one environmental change you vow to make in the next year?
I have three children and my oldest, who is 4 ½, is starting to really pick up on behaviors and knows what’s going on. I strongly believe that one way to educate is through leading by example. I’d also really like to engage my children in good behaviors and finding unique ways for them to do so like gardening, hiking, beach clean ups and after school programs. – Christopher Gavigan, Twitter: @Christopher_Gav
If you could trade places with one person from any time in history (past or present) for one day—who would it be and why?
There are of course a hundred musicians who I’d trade with for the day they wrote THAT SONG! But that’s not really the same thing…
Their are many Olympic Athletes who’s spandex or snowboard boots I’m sure it would feel wonderful to take a lap in one way or another, but I’m not sure what that would be like without myself to enjoy it.
James Spader? No, f**k-it. Robert Downey JR. – Ben Taylor, Musician, Twitter: @bentaylorHQ
You have a meeting with the leader of every country in the world. You have 30 seconds to tell them anything you want. Go!
I would tell them to stop playing politics, stop the genocide, stop abuse to women, stop the hunger, stop war and to focus on being a human being. – Sue Taggart, eco18.com Founder, Twitter: @eco18dotcom
You have the chance to send one tweet to all the tweeps in the world. Let’s hear it in 140 characters, or less!
Think green, think in the future – we can’t do it all alone. – Chef David Burke, Celebrity Chef, Twitter: @ChefDavidBurke
If there was one industry/product that you could make more eco-friendly, what would it be?
Restaurants. While many use organic of local products these days, the carbon footprint of most restaurants, the amount of heat and water used to cook meals for hundreds during the course of a day is astounding. I’d love to begin a conversation of how to make restaurants more eco-friendly—not the foods they serve but the business itself. – Mark Scarbrough, Cookbook Author, Twitter: @markscarbough
Where in the world would you most like to be right now?
I love the two cities I spend the most time in: Los Angeles and NYC. I would also love to travel more internationally and have a mild obsession with Italy, even though I have only been there once. – Julieanna Hever, TV Host on Veria Living and Author, Twitter: @PlantDietitian
What is the best book you have read recently?
I’m a Sci-Fi geek. Best recent read was World War Z by Max Brooks and/or Player of Games by Iain M Banks. – Chase Emmons, Farmer and Beekeeper at Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm, Twitter: @CAEChase595
What makes you cringe?
People making rules and regulations that don’t understand the reality of the what they are trying to regulate in the workplace and of or in agriculture—I think it would be good if they were made to live under their own rules for a while before they were allowed to recommend them. – Bob Quinn, Kamut International Founder, Farming Futurist, @kamutbrand
What do you want your legacy to be?
I want my legacy to be a woman who helped other people open up their hearts. – Agapi Stassinopoulos, Author Unbinding The Heart, Twitter: @AgapiSays
