Kristiina Maria Airi - Miss Earth Finland 2012 Profile

Kristiina Maria Airi

Miss Earth Finland 2012

BIO:
Age: 19
Height: 5'7.5"
Weight: 118lbs.
Vital Stats: 35"-24"-36"
Hometown: Helsinki

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
In my country everybody has done much work in minimizing the air pollution. CFC use is illegal here because it is so harmful for ozone but still we all have much to do in order live in an environment friendly world. The biggest problem in here is the polluted Baltic Sea which is the most polluted sea in the world. This pollution is a big problem for all the countries nearby Baltic Sea. I would like to educate all kind of people all over the world to learn how to care for the environment individually. Every person is important when we save the Mother Earth.

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
I am proud that we have thousands of beautiful blue lakes, green forests, singing bullfinches and experiencing magnificent magic winter with traditional Finnish style, sitting near the lake and hear the birds singing. I’m proud that we have free education here, health service and “every man’s rights”. Every man’s rights mean that we are allowed free access to the land and waterways. With that right everybody can allect natural products like mushrooms and wild berries in the forests and be free to walk amidst nature. Every man’s right also means that access to the land is free of charge and does not require land owners permission as long as people so not disturb or damage nature in any way. Finland has unique nature and clean air which can be surprising to the tourist. Also we have such clean water that you can drink it directly from the tap everywhere. For example our capital, Helsinki, takes all the water it uses directly from the lake called Paijanne When visiting Finland the most powerful would be experiencing nature and Aurora Borealis, called “Northern Lights” which can be seen specially in the beautiful Lapland during the cold autumn and winter nights.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
My childhood was very beautiful and exciting. I did lot and there were some things my parents didn’t like so much, like ringing neighbors door bells and running away when someone comes to answer them. At an early age I was independent which helped me also throughout school because I was bullied violently but I learned from it and didn’t care. Because my parents divorced, I lived with my mother in a small town called Salo. We weren’t rich, actually we were really poor but it doesn’t disturb me, I was happy. I thought what else could I have? This is already great!

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
I learned that apologizing doesn’t always mean that you are wrong. I struggled with my mother through bad and good times. There were days that we didn’t have food to eat or new clothes to wear but still I wanted to have new things without understanding that we really can’t afford them which made me sad. Then my mother taught me that giving up won’t make things better. The greatest thing is not that I failed all the time but that I was rising up everytime I failed. I wasn’t ashamed of having a rough childhood. Through that life I learned to achieve many things because I was used to rough times and I learned to value all the things and opportunities. I’ve learned about life in three words; it goes on.

What is your most memorable moment?
My most memorable moment was when I moved from the little town Salo to the capital city of Finland. In that moment I was 15 years old. I was heading to a high school which emphasized on languages. I moved to Helsinki in a single apartment and lived there. I worked 2 jobs at the same time. In the early morning I was in mall deliveries, then went to school and after school I went to work in a fast food restaurant from day to day. I was so happy that I moved, that I could build my life in any direction, I didn’t care that I needed to work so much and went to school at the same time. Of course it was all my choice. I wanted to go to that school which was only in Helsinki. That feeling was undescribable to be free to decide own things and just to be open to the world. That was one of the most memorable things in my life.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
As in domestic level I support to protect the Baltic Sea. It’s the most polluted sea in the world. Its wildlife is threatened eutrophication, oil and chemical accidents also increasing ship traffic and construction projects as well as over fishing, climate change could be very serious problem to the near future. Eutrophication is the main problem in the Baltic Sea. Beneath the surface the Baltic sea is dead and when eutrophication gets too far its start to feed itself. I think it’s the problem of today. Baltic sea is very important to surrounding countries and it could change the coast communities living around the eutrophication which could spread to another places. The issue is topical and serious. That kind of disaster could happen in any sea in any place in the world if we don’t care. That’s why I choose to act on it on a domestic level. The whole world should have environmental education to learn how to love and care for the Earth and also save it for the next generation.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
I would see it like, the cost of energy is increased and part of its taxes is directed to improve and boost renewable energy sources so that consumption is reduced and energy produced must be renewable. People must also learn not to buy latest mobile phones and recycle clothes (for example oldest sister will pass on her clothes to the younger one and so on). The world needs to invent new energy sources, which would be more cheaper, effective and of course most sustainable. People need to freely share knowledge and innovations with each other all over the world.

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