Jessica Lane has made history as the first Australian to win the Miss Earth pageant, using her platform to advocate for sustainable practices and ocean conservation at the Ocean Lovers Festival.
Jessica Lane has made history as the first Australian to win the prestigious Miss Earth pageant, an international beauty contest aimed at promoting environmental awareness. Crowned during the recent competition held in the Philippines, Lane, who is also an environmental journalism student, expressed her commitment to sustainable fashion and practices in the industry. Speaking about her journey, Ms. Lane stated, “I’ve done sustainable fashion modelling for about two years now because I’m studying to be an environmental journalist and I’ve always had such a great passion for the environment and being an advocate.”
Upon her return to Australia, Lane has taken a prominent role in the Ocean Lovers Festival at Bondi Beach, where she is engaging the community to advocate for ocean conservation and environmentally-friendly fashion. This year’s festival runs throughout March and has returned to its roots at Bondi, featuring markets, music, films, and discussions designed to foster ocean awareness among younger generations. Festival founder Anita Kolni noted, “The passion from our ocean-loving community is at its peak in Bondi,” emphasizing the festival’s mission to inspire action for healthier oceans.
Notably, the festival includes a variety of activities such as expert panels, musical performances, and a Marine Debris Trashion Show, which highlights the serious issue of waste in oceans. The event also hosts notable figures in conservation, including Valerie Taylor, a celebrated shark expert and filmmaker, and Lisa Blair, a world-record-holding solo sailor known for her climate action missions.
Lane’s victory at Miss Earth has particular significance, as she not only excelled against 76 contestants from diverse countries but also became the first Australian to win a title at one of the “Big Four” beauty pageants since 2004. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, “Miss Earth does such good work – they do so much not-for-profit work and they’re constantly educating and empowering young people and young women especially.”
Throughout her reign, Lane aims to utilize her platform to promote sustainable practices in fashion, addressing the environmental impact of the textile industry, which she pointed out is the second largest carbon-emitting sector globally. “So many people think that they can’t look good and dress well and take care of the environment,” she said, emphasizing, “looking good should never come at the harm of our environment.”
At the Ocean Lovers Festival, Ms. Lane is slated to participate in various events, including a beach clean-up, educational talks, and a film screening dedicated to Lisa Blair. On Sunday, she will also showcase artworks created by local primary and high school students that reflect ocean themes, emphasizing creativity driven by sustainability.
For Jessica Lane, her role in these events signifies more than just participation; it represents a commitment to fostering community spirit and advocating for environmental responsibility. Her efforts at the festival serve as an opportunity to immerse herself in discussions about ocean conservation and encourage others to embrace sustainable practices.
Source: Noah Wire Services
