Australia's Jessica Lane is Miss Earth 2024; PH's Irha Mel Alfeche bows out in top 12
The new earth queen has been crowned!
Jessica Lane of Australia was hailed as Miss Earth 2024 during the pageant's coronation night, which was held at Cove Manila in Paranaque City on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Lane bested 75 other contestants, making her the first Miss Earth titleholder from Australia and the 24th beauty queen to clinch the highly coveted crown. She was crowned by her predecessor Miss Earth 2023, Drita Ziri of Albania.
Among the elemental queens are Iceland's Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir as Miss Earth-Air, USA's Bea Millan-Windorski as Miss Earth-Water, and Peru's Niva Antezana as Miss Earth-Fire.
During the question and answer round, the top 4 queens were asked the same question, "How can you promote old traditions in a world obsessed with modern technology?"
Lane impressed the judges by emphasizing using "modern technology" to share environmental sustainability. She also mentioned her capability as a journalism student in enacting environmental change.
"I myself am currently studying a double major of journalism, creative writing, and publishing to use modern technology to share environmental sustainability and promote passion. In Australia, our heritage relates to Dreamtime Stories, and they use storytelling to promote this environmental sustainability and teach how to care for the land. I believe that we can use modern technology such as our journalism, such as our social media, such as news and broadcast, to share and inspire one another to be more sustainable in daily actions," she answered.
According to the international pageant, Lane has a "deep commitment to sustainability and a keen interest in ecological issues." She does this by raising awareness about environmental conservation through her storytelling knowledge.
With her platform, she also aims to promote green initiatives, drive positive change, and improve marine animal welfare in her local area.
Meanwhile, Philippines bet Irha Mel Alfeche has ended her Miss Earth 2024 journey in the top 12.
In 2023, the country's representative, Yllana Aduana, was named Miss Earth-Air 2023.
Currently, the Philippines has four Miss Earth crowns following the wins of Karla Henry (2008), Jamie Herrell (2014), Angelia Ong (2015), and Karen Ibasco (2017).