Consol, Miss Earth South Africa initiative
For the fourth year, Consol has partnered with the Miss Earth South Africa initiative to select the 2011 Miss Earth South Africa. The 14 finalists in the 2011 competition have been announced and these "green" ambassadors are working hard on campaigning for the title. The initiative is also endorsed by several green agencies, including SANParks, National Energy Efficiency Agency, CEF, WWF, SANCCOB, Cape Nature and supported by City of Cape Town.
As part of their busy schedule in the build up to the crowning, they get involved in greening initiatives in both urban and rural areas, environmental and conservation workshops, shoots, tree planting and sustainable garden activities, recycling programmes, awareness campaigns and school visits.
Each semi-finalist is required to put together her own glass awareness or glass recycling campaign, as well as a community greening project that will uplift and leave a positive and sustainable impact on her community. These initiatives form an important part of the final judging.
Consol Group MD, Mike Arnold says, "As the principle sponsor, we feel confident our continued association is helping give a greater share of voice to Miss Earth's 'green' message and particularly to the fact that glass takes nothing away from the environment, leaves nothing behind and can be recycled infinitely."
Through these educational activities, the association hopes to generate support for a movement towards behavioural change in the interest of the environment. Miss Earth South Africa, in association with Consol, currently works with over 120 schools nationwide and each year anticipates creating an even larger footprint as the ambassadors explore new regions throughout the country.
Essentially a leadership programme for South African women between the ages of 18 and 26 years, the programme is a platform used to empower these young women with the necessary knowledge and opportunities to become environmental eco-warriors. They are encouraged to go out and make a sustainable environmental impact on their communities and the public at large.
"We hope that the 2011 partnership and our participation in many of the ambassadorial greening projects during the course of the year, has begun to inculcate in the hearts and minds of our youth, the importance of the environment," says Arnold.
"While being aware of the effects of our actions today on future climate changes is obviously important, environmental change has to be underpinned by action and a change in lifestyle. We are confident that with the many other pro-environment facets of Miss Earth South Africa, the appointed 2011 ambassadors will help bring about this change," concludes Arnold.
