Zoe Jade Kinsella - Miss Earth Wales 2012 Profile

Zoe Jade Kinsella

Miss Earth Wales 2012

BIO:
Age: 20
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 110lbs.
Vital Stats: 34"-24"-31"
Hometown: Cardiff
Profession: Model

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
Choosing a single issue to focus on is difficult. I feel they are all linked and are all important for the prosperity of the earth. However, I strongly believe that we need to stop viewing our earth as a land of finite resources and start treating it as something precious that needs our protection. This is why I would like to create a project to promote and help develop renewable energy. Energy from renewable resources such as wind, water, the sun, biomass and geothermal energy is clean, and most importantly, inexhaustible. Investing in cleaner more renewable energy sources reduces the burning of fossil fuels for energy and helps in creating jobs, promoting economic growth for both developed and developing countries. Decreasing the dependency on burning fossil fuels for energy reduces the amount of CO2 polluting oceans and free radicals that are responsible for our depleting Ozone layer.

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
Dwi'n falch o fod yn Gymraeg – I am proud to be Welsh. Being Welsh is all about passion, pride and the love we have for our families, we are a people steeped in tradition and culture. Whether it is the continuing growth of our national language, celebrating our culture at our national Eisteddfod festival which dates back to the 19th Century, or 74,500 rugby fans singing the national anthem on an international day at the Millennium Stadium, it is not just the people that help make Wales what it is. The picturesque coastlines of Pembrokeshire and the breathtaking sights from the Snowdonia make Wales home to a plethora of sights you are unlikely to see anywhere else. This is something I can testify to myself. Being born and raised in Pembrokeshire, I now live in the vibrant, multicultural capital city of Cardiff, which is a contrast to the natural beauty of my hometown. Wales is also pioneering the way in eco-friendly policies, by being the first country in the United Kingdom to introduce a tax on plastic shopping bag usage. This policy was introduced to promote the use of environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic bags, which are often harmful to the environment and nature. Pleidiol wyf i'm glad – True I am to my country.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
My childhood years between the ages of eight and thirteen, was a time of mixed emotions, unfortunately tainted by loss and upset. My parents separated when I was four years old and it was not until I was older that I truly came to understand the consequences of this. It led to a lot of time shared between both parents, and a lack of family feeling. However, my mother remarried and I was fortunate enough to be given a sister when I was 8 years old. The introduction of my sister, and the support of my step father, helped create a family unity which had been missing from my childhood. This supportive family, which I had begun to rely upon, was there for me when my Nan passed away. She had been a mother figure to me when my actual mother was going through the difficulties of the divorce. When I was eleven I started secondary school, a time that began unpleasantly, due to being subjected to bullying. The bullying was nasty, hurtful and caused me to question my self esteem and confidence. My way of dealing with the negativity I was faced with was to immerse myself in my studies and sports. For this I am grateful because success in these areas has allowed me to appreciate what really matters.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
I learned many important lessons from my childhood. The first lesson came from the separation of my parents, where I learned that I had to adopt a more mature and positive outlook, as I had to interact with social services, court officials and other people in various positions of power. The death of my nan taught me that life is short. It must not be taken for granted, and in turn, we must make the most of it. The final lesson I learned was not to let the words of others affect me, which came as a result of being bullied. I found confidence in myself to be the person I wanted to be and go after the things which made me happy as a person. Ultimately, I learned that I must believe in myself.

What is your most memorable moment?
My most memorable moment would be undertaking a charity skydive which was in aid of a charity both my mother and I established in memory of my late nan. The experience was amazing, with my most vivid memory being the feeling of falling through the sky at such high speeds. When the parachute opened we began to float to the ground, the views where incredible. It is nothing like I have ever experienced before and I will never forget it.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
Choosing a single issue to support is difficult, as I feel they are all linked and are all important to the prosperity of the earth. However, I strongly believe that we need to stop viewing our earth as a land of finite resources and start treating it as something precious that needs our protection. This is why I would like to promote and help develop renewable energy. Energy from renewable resources such as wind, water, the sun, biomass and geothermal energy is clean, and most importantly, inexhaustible. Investing in cleaner more renewable energy sources reduces the dependency on burning fossil fuels for energy and helps in creating jobs, promoting economic growth for both developed and developing countries. Decreasing the dependency on burning fossil fuels for energy reduces the amount of CO2 polluting oceans and free radicals that are responsible for our depleting Ozone layer.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
Think global, act local. The planet needs us all to pull together in the same direction and this begins at home, with each of us making sure we are only using forms of sustainable energy. If each of us sign up to this, this will eventually lead to a world powered by sustainable energy. This highlights the need to think about these issues on a global scale whilst doing all we can at a local level.

Other information that you would like to share with the Miss Earth Management:
I would like you to thank you for this incredible opportunity that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

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