Braxis Alvarez - Miss Earth Nicaragua 2012 Profile

Braxis Alvarez

Miss Earth Nicaragua 2012

BIO:
Age: 25
Height: 5'7.5"
Weight: 120lbs.
Vital Stats: 33"-25"-37"
Hometown: Rio San Juan
Profession: Television Host

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
The project I propose would be the development of Low Potency Wind Turbines for home use. One of the economical activities that puts more pressure over our natural resources and the environment in general it’s the production of energy. Nowadays it is estimated that more of the 85% of produced energy globally comes from fossil fuels, bringing with it damage to the environment without precedents. This is the cause of global warming. Another source of energy that is considered "renewable" and "environmentally sustainable", is energy from water sources which represents approximately 8% of global energy production, however this form of energy production is not without generating controversy because of the direct environmental impact on natural resources, mainly forests, biodiversity and soils. In Nicaragua a viable and feasible alternative would be solar and wind power. Nicaragua has great potential for power generation based on both resources.

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
What makes me feel more proud about my country is the idiosyncrasy and originality that prevails within the people. In here we can find peace, values, culture folklore, diversity and a lot of green within its cities. It prides me that our people are capable of valuing what they have and take care of it. Faith and hope are what boosts them to become better and better each day even with the lack of economy support and attention from the world. People are concerned in taking care of and maintaining the country’s traditions, without delaying progress and modernization, but adapting a growth slow but steady. We put emphasis on highlighting our beautiful natural resources and take use the healthiest advantage for the country. Its not a country invaded by modernization, technology nor horizontal growth. It has learned how to grow from the ashes through its many richess that makes it unique for tourism. The diversity of my country is so unique like the love I feel as a Nicaraguan for my country.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
I was born in a village south of Nicaragua, Rio San Juan. I did not spend much time with my dad since his work made him stay abroad most of his time. My mother raised us alone. My brother and I used to study at a catholic school until age 12. I learned how to swim there. I remember the evenings of my town where you could see roses from almost any part of the village. You could also see the river San Juan and the Lake of Nicaragua. We use boats for transport to travel between villages “Castle” “Solentiname archipelago” Wherever we go fishing with my father, I used to play a lot with my cousins. The environment where I grew up was not the most favorable and that really influenced me differently so now you know why I try to change and be a better person living one day at a time. At the age of 12 my whole family emigrated to the capital, Managua, where we graduated from college.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
Several experiences taught me values and ideals which I still have. Some were bad and ugly and sometimes a bit nicer, but I learned something positive out of all these. In my childhood I learned the respect for elders, the sacrifice of father and mother for her children, and the importance of family unit. I learned that people can be cruel and evil, and that a low self-esteem can cause bad experiences but not make you resentful. Along with my cousins I learned to do good deeds no matter how large and that most gratification or reward comes from the feeling of doing good deeds because you want to do it without expecting anything in return but only the welfare of that person. I learned that people shouldn’t be exploited, the importance of caring for oneself, and the effects that low self-esteem has in your whole life. I learned that alcoholism is a disease and not everyone has the courage to face it, but mostly now I realize that no matter how bad or good we are we still live out some or few values we learned in our childhood. What matters is that we strive for a healthier life and learn from it. Change what is negative now for no one can make a change in us but ourselves. With good values, actions and thoughts, strive to live a better life. Life must be lived to also learn the value of the power of love. Learn to love yourself and others with honesty.

What is your most memorable moment?
My first job. There is so much I learned from it that changed my life. Having more responsibilities, made me appreciate time more, and be more dedicated and try to be better every day. What I liked the most was the people I met. I learned to be more sociable, and appreciate things more. I thank God for every person that he put in my way, but especially those who come as angels and make changes to one’s life and make one a better person. Also a memorable day for me is the day I met that person who has taught me much of life. I thank him for his words, feelings and dedication to help me live a better life.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
The global need for energy for development is important, but limited due to the huge negative impact on the environment and especially on natural resources, so it is important to propose and make known to the public new technologies that allow energy independence. The WIND HOME OF LOW POWER, are wind systems that can be made with household materials and are inexpensive. Today our country has specialized staff to transfer this knowledge to the population in rural areas, so that they can seize and benefit from these advances. The project have three basic components for development and these are: Methodological Component (Construction of step by step guides for the construction of wind turbines), Component Training (workshops to make the most of the tools developed in the methodological component to create and strengthen the cognitive abilities of the target group in this issue) and Component Technology Development (Once developed the tools and trained personnel proceed to build wind turbines with local materials), all this together will help reduce energy needs in rural areas, improve their quality of life and reduce the pressure on natural resources. I also choose to campaign for combined reforestation campaigns, solid waste disposal and environmental education.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
Mainly turn off lights whenever not in use. We must use the natural light and look for alternatives like solar panels for electricity.

Other information that you would like to share with the Miss Earth Management:
Availability, responsibility, discipline, effort, learning and teaching is what I go for as Miss Earth 2012. I would change how the world sees Nicaragua as a green alternative of the world for its large number of forests and as an example to small and large nations as Nicaragua works towards 2017 to achieve 95% dependency on green energy. I would travel wherever necessary to set an example, support causes, and learn everything that I need to be better every day as Miss Earth. I shall work towards all these goals with joy, make the most of the experience and become a future president of the environmental youth club to which I belong as a volunteer. This will give me most especially the satisfaction that I did something that I love with all my heart.

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