Jessica Cianchino of Canada, Karina Basrewan of Indonesia, reigning Miss Earth Destiny Wagner, Andrea Aguilera of Colombia and Sheridan Mortlock of Australia. Images from ARMIN P. ADINA
/ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines — As world leaders gather today in Indonesia for the G20 summit, the queens of the Miss Earth pageants appealed for them to make good on promises they made in order to slow down global warming and save Mother Earth from the adverse effects of climate change.
Twenty of the world’s biggest economies are currently convening in Bali, Indonesia amid talks that include measures seeking to limit global warming by decarbonizing certain sectors and lowering methane emissions, on the back of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Miss Earth beauties harnessed their courage in using their collective and individual voices to encourage world leaders on whose hands lie the fate of many citizens towards the advocacy dear to all of them — saving the planet from devastation.
“I’d like to encourage the leaders, you guys have made amazing speeches regarding the promises that you’ll make in consideration to our planet, climate change nevertheless. And I would hope that beyond this, we would take serious action than that,” Karina Basrewan, Indonesia’s representative to the 2022 Miss Earth pageant, told the Inquirer at the sidelines of the welcome dinner hosted by Versailles Palace in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, on Nov. 13.
Colombian delegate Andrea Aguilera noted, “the most power you have the most you can go to the masses. You can give a massive message with power.” She also cited Colombia’s 1991 Constitution, which she considers to be a “green constitution” for incorporating provisions on sustainability and environmental protection.
The 2021 Miss World Top 13 finisher also appealed to the G20 leaders to harness more sustainable sources of energy such as solar and hydroelectric, and proposed to take advantage of the fumes emitted by solid waste to generate electricity as well.
Filipino-Canadian Jessica Cianchino, who is representing Canada in her second international competition to be staged in the Philippines, said the leaders gathering in Indonesia should train their attention to the problems similarly experienced in the archipelago hosting them. “Listen to the farmers, individuals, because their voices should be heard,” said the 2019 Miss Asia Pacific International second runner-up.
For Australia’s Sheridan Mortlock, the G20 leaders should “set an example” themselves. “You have all this power and influence. You have the resources to do better,” she said.
“I’m not saying you have to change everything right now, because that in itself is not sustainable. But make a good start because we’re seriously running out of time,” said the student of global sustainability and politics.
Reigning Miss Earth Destiny Wagner from Belize also shared her message to the G20 leaders: “You are a leader, you are a decision maker, so you have power and you have a voice that is stronger than many other voices. Use your power for something good. All of us have something in common, and that is our planet. So we should be working toward that cause.”
She will relinquish her title at the 2022 Miss Earth coronation program at the Cove Manila pool club of Okada Manila in Parañaque City on Nov. 29.
The Philippines is represented by American-Filipino psychology student Jenny Ramp from the province of Tarlac. EDV