Kamea Chayne: Millennial Pioneer of Sustainable Living

Kamea Chayne: Millennial Pioneer of Sustainable Living

Kamea Chayne, at the impressive age of 22, just released her first book, Thrive , a research-based handbook for anyone on a journey to achieve optimal personal wellness and world sustainability. The young entrepreneur was inspired to create this book by her travel experiences. She has visited 39 countries over her lifetime, where she witnessed diverse landscapes and culture. However, at the center of each country was a desire for health, which ultimately led her to write Thrive.

Chayne’s book takes you through many topics that apply to your daily life such as:

• How to read beauty labels so you’re buying sustainable or safer products
• Understanding a product’s lifestyle – sourcing, production, transport, use, and disposal
• How to buy mindfully and support products that use the 3 P’s (people, planet, and profit)
• Buying from eco-conscious companies

Sustainability can be defined by the author as maintaining a healthy balance – we want to keep a system going as long as possible. How can we apply this philosophy to a supply chain that is really lacking transparency? Chayne admits it is a challenge to fully ensure you are buying a sustainable or ethical purchase because our supply chain is so complex. However, she advises when buying to take into consideration production, transporting, and disposal of that product. You also want to consider the amount of water used; amount of land used, and is this product toxic to humans and wildlife?

You may have been fooled by the “All Natural” or “Sustainable” marketing text on the front of packaging. These terms are not regulated by the government or any third-party, so make sure to look past the fluffy marketing statements. If you want to make more mindful purchases, you will have to evaluate the brand’s sustainability. One of the main concerns you want to tackle when evaluating a company’s sustainability practices is the 3 P’s: People, Planet, and Profit. You want to ask questions:

• How transparent is this brand about its supply chain?
• Are they certified by places like Fair Trade?
• Do they support social causes?

Next, you want to look at the ingredients or materials. Chayne does have a portion of the book that specifically addresses the fashion industry, with eco-friendly textiles and looking for certifications. She also advises to get to know the company that creates the product, as many are providing voluntary information and factual information about their ethics. Ethical brands do need to make a profit to keep their businesses running, but also give back to the planet and communicate with consumers about it.

How does living more sustainably create better personal wellness?

Chayne’s belief is when you make more thoughtful decisions, your life satisfaction improves. Your shopping purchases will feel more fulfilling. When we think of our personal wellness, we often leave our environmental health out of the question. But if we are breathing polluted air, there is no way we can be personally healthy. 

Chayne shares some of her favorite sustainable brands:

• Zady: Fashion retailer
• United by Blue: Outdoor apparel
• Le Vert: Beauty retailer

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You can purchase Kamea Chayne’s book Thrive here. You can also see her work with the Ethical Writers Co. and Peaceful Dumpling.