Miss Earth 2014: Miss Northern Ireland Justine McEleney

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Miss Earth 2014: Miss Northern Ireland Justine McEleney

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose this?

Northern Ireland has the least protected environment in the United Kingdom. I feel the need to educate the younger generation on the importance of environmental protection and animal conservation. As the saying goes, "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children."

My advocacy is to establish interactive, educational projects for young children and adolescents to highlight the importance of recycling and wildlife protection to maintain the beauty of our world-renowned natural habitats. If individuals are equipped with in-depth knowledge of an area, it will increase awareness and boost a sincere desire to help protect environmental and cultural resources for future generations.

As a result, we would have litter-free areas, thriving wildlife habitats, and a sustainable eco-tourism attraction.

What tip can you share to promote this year's theme, Eco Tourism?

Do something today that your future self will thank you for. Take only photographs, not souvenirs. Leave only footprints, not litter. Leave the area the way you found it as disturbing natural habitats could have severe consequences.

Would you like Miss Northern Ireland Justine McEleney to be Miss Earth 2014? Support her by sharing her profile on Facebook and Twitter. Tag @YahooPH and use the hashtag #MissEarth2014.

Yahoo Philippines is the official online partner of Miss Earth 2014.

(Photo courtesy of Justine McEleney)