Water is one of the scarcest natural resources on earth. Only 1% of all the water on earth is fit for human consumption and over 2 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water and over 3,5 million people die, every year, from water-related disease.
It is often said that the next world war will not be fought over oil or land or policy, but it will be fought for access to fresh, drinking water. With the number of things threatening this already scarce resource growing every day the Miss Earth South Africa strives to educate its ambassadors and the general public on the importance of keeping our water sources clean. With a number of river and beach clean-up initiatives run every year, the Miss Earth South Africa hopes to encourage communities to respect their valuable water sources.
The world’s dependence on fossil fuels is unsustainable and before long we will have depleted these already scarce natural resources. In order to move beyond coal power we need to invest in sustainable and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. We at the Miss Earth South Africa strive to educate the public on the importance of a sustainable energy mix. Although we understand that migration to renewable energy sources will not be overnight and nor will it come at no cost, it is critical that every man, woman and child understands the importance of striking a balance with our energy mix
At the Earth Summit in Rio 20 years ago, three different conventions emerged, one being the Convention on Climate Change and one on Deforestation, both focussed on carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere.
Because trees process carbon and, through the process of photosynthesis, produce life-giving oxygen the more deforestation that occurs for paper production, food, building materials, consumerism and clearing of natural forests for housing development, the more the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere builds.
The Miss Earth South Africa strives to educate individuals on the need to help industry to plant more trees than what we use. Every Miss Earth South Africa ambassador is required to participate in at least one tree planting initiative during her year of ambassadorship and many of the ambassadors continue to be involved long after their tenure with the organisation.
Adaptation, simply put, is the how we as human beings need to change in order to become more resistant to the effects of climate change. At the Miss Earth South Africa, we strive to help business and industry reduce their carbon footprints through greening their offices and processes and involvement in various tree and sustainable garden planting initiatives
It is often said that the next world war will not be fought over oil or land or policy, but it will be fought for access to fresh, drinking water. With the number of things threatening this already scarce resource growing every day the Miss Earth South Africa strives to educate its ambassadors and the general public on the importance of keeping our water sources clean. With a number of river and beach clean-up initiatives run every year, the Miss Earth South Africa hopes to encourage communities to respect their valuable water sources.
The world’s dependence on fossil fuels is unsustainable and before long we will have depleted these already scarce natural resources. In order to move beyond coal power we need to invest in sustainable and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. We at the Miss Earth South Africa strive to educate the public on the importance of a sustainable energy mix. Although we understand that migration to renewable energy sources will not be overnight and nor will it come at no cost, it is critical that every man, woman and child understands the importance of striking a balance with our energy mix
To safeguard our natural resources, spaces and animals takes a longterm commitment and dedication to conserving the fauna and flora that are not able to fight for themselves. Preserving the species that are endemic to specific areas, researching in order to enhance the survival rate of specific plant or animal species and removing alien trees or shrubbery that threaten indigenous vegetation or water flow all add to conservation.
The Miss Earth South Africa embarks on a number of conservation initiatives each year and every Miss Earth South Africa ambassador is expected to participate in at least one such event during the year of her ambassadorship. Such initiatives include alien vegetation removals and public space and river clean-ups.
Our annual Stationery Drive is a highlight on the Miss Earth South Africa calendar. We understand the need for and value of education, which is why, since its inception in 2007, the annual stationery drive has supported schools in Gauteng, Limpopo, KZN and Cape Town.
As part of our tenth anniversary year, our goal was to collect 10,000 stationery packs for distribution around the country. Ultimately, we aim to ensure that every child across South Africa has his/her own basic stationery set at the start of each year.
“We have visited primary schools in under underprivileged areas where up to 40 learners share one pencil in a classroom. Your contributions make it possible for us to equip these learners with the stationery they need to make the most from their learning.” —Catherine Constantinides, National Director.
Banking Details:
Bank: Standard Bank, The Glen (006005)
Account Name: Miss Earth South Africa
Account Number: 002 835 304
Please email payment details to info@missearthsa.co.za
“..an extraordinary extinction of species is taking place all over the world, breaking vital links in the chain of life.
We are aware that most large fish species, including cod, marlin, swordfish and tuna are critically endangered, and huge dead zones are appearing in our oceans; silent places devoid of life.
It took billions of years for nature to develop dynamic, viable relationships between Earth and its countless life forms. Now, in just over a hundred years, these natural balances are threatening to fall irrevocably out of kilter. We are witnessing first-hand a massive disruption of Earth’s life systems, and all fingers point to one culprit: man.” — Lawrence Anthony
In 2008, we at Miss Earth South Africa pledged to aid the plight of penguins. Our objective is to create awareness and support for this beautiful and unique creature.
“I sat upon the rocks, with the ocean sounds behind me, and before me and beneath the boulders where I sat the penguins waddled back and forth. This is a place of God; of creation, of purity and yet man has been the cause for the diminishing numbers of this species. They are so different to other creatures and they seem to know so much more than us. I would not want to live in a world that had been responsible for the extinction of this creature.” — Ella Bella
Oiled seabirds sometimes get a second chance, as SANCCOB and other partner conservation organisations are very successful in cleaning, rehabilitating and releasing them. These birds have a very good survival rate. We have pledged our support of SANCCOB. Their objectives are as follows:
• To rehabilitate ill, injured, oiled and orphaned sea birds on a daily basis
• Prepare for and manage the rehabilitation of sea birds during a major oil spill
• Raise awareness about conservation through environmental education
• Collaborate on research projects
In South Africa, we remain concerned about our African penguin population. The 2007 African penguin census counted about 31,000 breeding pairs. This is only a fraction of the estimated four million penguins at the turn of the 20th century. Even more alarming is the 2008 census that indicated the entire African penguin population to be only 26 000 breeding pairs. Factors that caused the decline in the numbers include guano harvesting and egg collection during the 1950’s, oil spills and most recently, the declining fish availability, which is seriously threatening the population. SANCCOB aims to save the population by rehabilitating sea birds that are affected by oil spills, injured by predators, suffering from illness and hand rearing abandoned chicks.
Worldwide Stats
1) 2001-2011: 64.46% decline
Year | Breeding Pairs in the Wild |
2001 | 56 466 |
2004 | 51 755 |
2009 | 20 706 |
2010 | 21 653 |
2011 | 20 083 |
2) African penguins are still listed as Endangered (since 2010) on the IUCN Red list, yes. Refer to for additional information: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106003861/0
3) Penguins as indicator species:
a. Penguins are quite easy to study as they’re very visible. As such, researchers can learn about the rate and nature of changes occurring in the southern oceans. As ocean samplers, penguins provide insights into patterns of regional ocean productivity (fish stocks, etc.) and long-term climate variation. Essentially, they are very sensitive to their surrounding environment and provide insight about larger ecosystems as a whole.
4) African Penguin are found on the south-western coast of Africa, living in colonies on 24 islands between Namibia and South Africa (near Port Elizabeth). Some of the more well-known colonies are Stony Point (Betty’s Bay), Boulders Beach (Simon’s Town), Robben Island, Dyer Island (Gaansbaai), Dassen Island (near Yzerfontein) and Bird Island (Algoa Bay)
The Miss Earth South Africa embarks on a number of conservation initiatives each year and every Miss Earth South Africa ambassador is expected to participate in at least one such event during the year of her ambassadorship. Such initiatives include alien vegetation removals and public space and river clean-ups.
Catherine Constantinides has been chosen as one of the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellows under the US Department of State’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
As we celebrate Africa month and take this opportunity to highlight not only the challenges of our continent but the opportunities that exist, we also celebrate the achievements and milestones being achieved by young people across Africa and their impact on the globe at large.
One such dynamic young leader is a trailblazer in her home country, South Africa; as well as across the globe. No stranger to leadership platforms and thought leadership, Catherine now adds another exciting achievement to her unbelievable list of accolades.
Catherine will leave for the USA next month with fellows from across the continent as they embark on a 6 week leadership training, including academic coursework, as an opportunity to hone their skills at a US higher education institution with support for professional development after they return home.
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. Nearly 1 in 3 Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and approximately 60 percent of Africa’s total population is below the age of 35. President Obama launched YALI in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa.
Catherine was recently awarded the Ubuntu Youth Diplomacy award from the South African government for her outstanding work as an ambassador for the country across the continent and internationally. Her work as an international climate activist, passionate humanitarian and social entrepreneur, this young lady has been acknowledged for a career that started when she set up her first business venture at the age of 16. Her work on women empowerment in the environmental space has seen her organization grow from just working in South Africa to working in Zambia, Cote D ‘Ivoire, Ethiopia and Namibia to name a few.
At the helm of the Miss Earth South Africa leadership programme, Catherine is also Co-Founder of Generation Earth, a social cohesion advocate for the Department of Arts and Culture and a well-respected media personality. In 2015 she was invited as an honourary member of the Golden Key Society and was also nominated as one of South Africa’s 21 icons as part of an acclaimed TV series honouring great South Africans. This leader is also an Archbishop Tutu African Oxford Fellow and has worked tireously over the past 18 months on human rights violations in Africa with a firm commitment to bring justice to forgotten people across the continent.
Catherine says; “In order for us to unlock the potential of Africa, we must be committed to succeed in ensuring that human rights are an integral part of our fabric with a unified commitment and energy to move Africa forward as an economically stable and viable global competitor”.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, began in 2014, as the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training and networking. Fellows are placed at U.S. colleges and universities for academic institutes. Institutes will focus on skills development in one of three areas: Business and Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership, or Public Management. At the conclusion of the academic and leadership institute, all Fellows will participate in a Presidential Summit with President Obama in Washington DC in August. Mandela Washington Fellows are between 25 and 35 years old; have proven track records of leadership in a public, private, or civic organization; and demonstrate a strong commitment to contributing their skills and talents to building and serving their communities.
Catherine has been placed in the Civic Leadership track and will spend her time in Virginia at The Presidential Precinct. The Presidential Precinct unites six landmark institutions – four of America’s most important historic sites and two of the country’s most outstanding public universities being the University of Virginia and The College of William and Mary; America’s second oldest university also called “the Alma Mater of a Nation” thanks to its deep ties to the founding fathers, including Jefferson and Monroe who studied the intellectual underpinnings of self-governance at this historic campus.
Follow her journey as she shares this leadership platform on her social media platforms twitter and Instagram, @ChangeAgentSA over the next two months.
For further info contact SA Fusion: Georgina Cost: info@missearthsa.co.za / +2782 505 0664