Kelly-Louise Maguire
Kelly-Louise Maguire is a 21-year old journalism student from Sydney’s gorgeous Northern Beaches. Surrounded by natural beauty her whole life, Kelly has become dedicated to environmental causes, promoting issues on both a local and a national scale to conserve her local and other areas which could potentially be threatened with non-sustainable development and overpopulation.
Kelly was crowned Miss Earth Australia Water 2007, and in addition, was chosen to represent Australia at the Miss Intercontinental 2007 international pageant. After her Miss Earth journey, she continues to show a dedication to the pageant’s causes, and has planned events relating to Clean Up Australia Day, as well as promoting various environmental activities in her local area’s newspaper, The Manly Daily. She has been the speaker in a Miss Earth Australia promotional video, speaking from the heart about issues that concern her and the other contestants.
She is currently the state organiser for Miss Earth Australia for New South Wales and Queensland, and hopes to encourage this years’ contestants to make Miss Earth Australia 2008 the most successful year yet for the pageant!
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What is the most pressing environmental issue in 2007?
In 2007 there was a big focus on implementing renewable energies, particularly with the first ‘Earth Hour’ in Sydney being such a huge success. The Live Earth Concert also was promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, so it was a great year that showed the public many ways they can do their bit to help save the future of our environment. Having said all this though, every environmental issue was pressing in 2007, as it is in 2008 - if we lay back and let anything to ruin we won’t have a sustainable future to look forward to.
What is your greatest environmental fear and why?
My greatest environmental fear is the litter and pollution - the amount of rubbish seen on the side of the road driving just about anywhere in Sydney is beyond appalling. I fear that landfill is not enough to contain our waste, and that one day we’ll have to wade through our own rubbish (such as in Naples in Italy). Unnecessary packaging is becoming more and more the norm in a world that simply cannot cope with it.
Who is the most significant environmental figure of our time?
There is no single significant environmental figure that I aspire to. This is for the simple reason that I strongly believe that there is power in numbers; no single person can truly make a difference themselves. No one needs to be recognised for their environmental activities, however there are countless people that strive towards great public environmental influence - and this is definitely something worthy of commendation.
Are you a vegetarian? Why or why not?
No, as I believe in a healthy body and healthy mind, and there are certain minerals such as iron and protein that are more abundant in red meat than any other food. I however think there are merits in being a vegetarian, and I applaud those who can adhere to a vegetarian diet.
As an eco-advocate you undoubtedly try to “walk the talk.”But what do you have the most trouble changing about yourself or your lifestyle?
I don’t have to change anything! I was fortunate enough to grow up in an environmentally conscious family, so I find it easy to incorporate simple aspects of eco-friendly strategies into my everyday life.
Who could be the environmental movement’s most unlikely allies?
I think rockstars have recently proven to fit into this category; although I do doubt the merit of some of those who participated in the Live Earth Concert on 7th July 2007.
Which environmental group do you most admire and why?
Greenpeace - the way these people put themselves in situations fraught with danger for such selfless reasons is awe-inspiring. When you also think that these activists are almost entirely volunteers, it is understandable why they are given such a positive light in the public eye of the media. I am a member of Greenpeace, as is everyone in my family.
What’s your favorite Earth-friendly mode of transportation?
Walking, if it’s a close enough distance, as it’s also a refreshing way to exercise. If it’s any further, (such as if I was going to work) then I would catch a bus. Unfortunately, where I live has minimal public transport - buses about once an hour to Sydney city and no trains - so it’s hard for my local area to promote eco-friendly transport without the infrastructure to support this movement. I am always encouraging of petitions and notions of improving my local transport system, as it is in dire need of an overhaul!
How could the environmental movement reinvent itself?
Public interest would be a great way for the environment to gain more centre stage press, and influence more people to do their part to contribute to a sustainable future. Miss Earth Australia is a wonderful way for the Green Movement to achieve this, as the public attention that is created through this pageant goes a long way to influencing those in the public sphere. Only when mass support is achieved for a cause can the government act on the behalf of the people, and I do believe we are almost at the stage where legislation can be introduced to outlaw amounts of carbon emissions, use certain types of lightbulbs, install rainwater tanks, etc.
