Miss Earth is an annual international major beauty pageant based in the Philippines that advocates for

environmental awareness Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology, and social movement about supporting life, habitats, and surroundings. While environmentalism focuses more on the environmental and nature-related aspects of green ideology and politics, ecologi ...

conservation Conservation is the preservation or efficient use of resources, or the conservation of various quantities under physical laws. Conservation may also refer to: Environment and natural resources * Nature conservation, the protection and manage ...

and

social responsibility Social responsibility is an ethical concept in which a person works and cooperates with other people and organizations for the benefit of the community. An organization can demonstrate social responsibility in several ways, for instance, by do ...

. Along with

Miss World Miss World is the oldest existing international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. Since his death in 2000, Morley's widow, Julia Morley, has co-chaired the pageant. Along with Miss Universe, Mi ...

Miss Universe Miss Universe is an annual international major beauty pageant that is run by a Thailand and Mexican-based Miss Universe Organization.Natalie Tadena (July 2, 2015"Donald Trump's Miss USA Pageant Lands on Reelz Cable Channel". ''The Wall Stree ...

, and

Miss International Miss International (''Miss International Beauty'' or ''The International Beauty Pageant'') is a Japan-based international major beauty pageant organized by the International Culture Association. First held in 1960, it is the fourth largest page ...

, it is one of the

Big Four beauty pageants The Big Four or the Big League Pageants refers to the four major international beauty pageants for women — Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth. The group was first described by the ''China Daily'' newspaper in 20 ...

. Miss Earth is a co-host of the

United Nations Environment Programme The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is responsible for coordinating responses to environmental issues within the United Nations system. It was established by Maurice Strong, its first director, after the Declaration of the United Nati ...

Champions of the Earth The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established Champions of the Earth in 2005 as an annual awards programme to recognize outstanding environmental leaders from the public and private sectors and from civil society. Award details T ...

, an annual international environment awards established in 2005 by the

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...

to recognize outstanding environmental achievers and leaders at a policy level. Miss Earth and

Greenpeace Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning network, founded in Canada in 1971 by a group of Environmental movement, environmental activists. Greenpeace states its goal is to "ensure the ability of the Earth to nurture life in all its biod ...

have also joined in the call for a ban on

genetically-engineered Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification or genetic manipulation, is the modification and manipulation of an organism's genes using technology. It is a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including th ...

food crops, promotion of organic farming and advancement of

sustainable agriculture Sustainable agriculture is agriculture, farming in sustainability, sustainable ways meeting society's present food and textile needs, without compromising the ability for current or future generations to meet their needs. It can be based on an ...

. The

Miss Earth Foundation Miss (pronounced ) is an English-language honorific typically used for a girl, for an unmarried woman (when not using another title such as "Doctor" or "Dame"), or for a married woman retaining her maiden name. Originating in the 17th century, i ...

has also teamed up with

The Climate Reality Project The Climate Reality Project is a non-profit organization involved in education and advocacy related to climate change. The Climate Reality Project came into being in July 2011 as the consolidation of two environmental groups, the Alliance for Cli ...

for the "Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training", conducted by its founder and chairman, environmentalist and former US Vice President

Al Gore Albert Arnold Gore Jr. (born March 31, 1948) is an American former politician, businessman, and environmentalist who served as the 45th vice president of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. He previously served as ...

. The Miss Earth Foundation works with the environmental departments and ministries of the participating countries, various private sector and corporations, as well as the

World Wildlife Foundation The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is a Swiss-based international non-governmental organization founded in 1961 that works in the field of wilderness preservation and the reduction of human impact on the environment. It was formerly named the ...

. Since 2002, the pageant has been mainly held in the Philippines, with live broadcasts in more than 80 countries via

Fox Life Fox Life, now rebranded as Star Life and FX Life, was an international pay television network, launched by the Fox Networks Group in 2004. The network has been discontinued in several markets over time. The network's scheduling has varied wi ...

The Filipino Channel The Filipino Channel, commonly known as TFC, is a global subscription television network owned and operated by the Philippine media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. Its programming is composed primarily of imported programs produced and distri ...

, and

Metro Channel Metro Channel (formerly Lifestyle (Network) and stylized in all capital letters) is a Philippine pay television channel based in Quezon City. It is owned by Creative Programs Inc., a subsidiary of media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. Its ...

. Titleholders spend their year promoting their specific projects and environmental causes through speaking engagements, roundtable discussions, school tours, tree planting activities, street campaigns, cleanups, shopping mall tours, media guesting, environmental fairs, storytelling programs to children, eco-fashion shows, and other environmentally oriented activities. The current titleholder of Miss Earth is

Jessica Lane Jessica May Lane (born 5 October 2002) is an Australian beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Earth 2024 on November 9, 2024 in the Philippines. She is the first Australian to win the title, making Australia the sixth country to secur ...

from

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

, who was crowned on November 9, 2024, in

Parañaque Parañaque, officially the City of Parañaque (, ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, highly urbanized city in the Metro Manila, National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of ...

Philippines The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...

. Her Elemental Court includes: * Miss Earth Air: Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir from

Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...

* Miss Earth Water: Bea Millan-Windorski from the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

* Miss Earth Fire: Niva Antezana from

Peru Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the south and west by the Pac ...

Inception and early history

Carousel Productions Carousel Productions, Inc. is the organization that currently owns and runs the Miss Earth and Miss Philippines Earth beauty contest. The annual events are produced in partnership with ABS-CBN Corporation. The organization is based in the Philip ...

launched the first Miss Earth in

2001 The year's most prominent event was the September 11 attacks against the United States by al-Qaeda, which Casualties of the September 11 attacks, killed 2,977 people and instigated the global war on terror. The United States led a Participan ...

as an international environmental event with the mission of using the beauty pageant entertainment industry as a tool to promote environmental preservation. The pageant was first formally introduced in a press conference on April 3, 2001. In October 2001, Miss Earth adopted the slogan " Beauties For a Cause", with the first "Beauty for a Cause" prize awarded in 2003. In 2003, Miss Earth surpassed

to become the third largest international beauty pageant by number of participating countries. In the aftermath of the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

, by 2020 and 2022, Miss Earth surpassed

, the world's second oldest international beauty pageant, to become the second largest international beauty pageant by number of participating countries.

Programs and advocacy

The pageant has tie-ins with Philippine government agencies, such as the Philippine Department of Tourism, the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR; ) is the Executive Departments of the Philippines, executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the conservation, management, development, and proper use of the cou ...

, and the

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA; ) is a government agency of the Philippines responsible for constituting the regional government of Metro Manila, comprising the capital city of Manila, the cities of Quezon City, Caloocan, ...

, most of the tourism and environment agencies, bureaus, and departments of participating countries, as well as international environmental groups such as the

, and

ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) is an intergovernmental regional centre of excellence that facilitates co-operation and co-ordination among the members of ASEAN, and with relevant national governments, regional and international organ ...

to further its environmental advocacy. The pageant winner and her elemental court travel to various countries, and are involved in projects with the environmental departments and ministries of participating countries. The delegates also take part in environmental presenvation activities such as, but are not limited to, tree planting ceremonies, environmental and cultural immersion programs, sponsor visits and tours. In 2004, the Miss Earth Foundation was created to further the pageant's causes and to work with local and international groups and non-governmental organizations that are actively involved in conservation and the improvement of the environment. The Miss Earth Foundation campaign focuses on educating young people in environmental awareness. Its major project, "I Love Planet Earth School Tour", teaches and distributes educational aids for school children. Miss Earth also partnered with the

Philippine Daily Inquirer The ''Philippine Daily Inquirer'' (''PDI''), or simply the ''Inquirer'', is an English-language newspaper in the Philippines. Founded in 1985, it is often regarded as the Philippines' newspaper of record. The newspaper is the most awarded broad ...

's "Read-Along Storytelling Program" to educate children on taking care of the environment, awareness on

renewable energy Renewable energy (also called green energy) is energy made from renewable resource, renewable natural resources that are replenished on a human lifetime, human timescale. The most widely used renewable energy types are solar energy, wind pow ...

, and

biodiversity Biodiversity is the variability of life, life on Earth. It can be measured on various levels. There is for example genetic variability, species diversity, ecosystem diversity and Phylogenetics, phylogenetic diversity. Diversity is not distribut ...

. The Miss Earth Foundation also educates people to act against

environmental degradation Environment most often refers to: __NOTOC__ * Natural environment, referring respectively to all living and non-living things occurring naturally and the physical and biological factors along with their chemical interactions that affect an organism ...

and

environmental protection Environmental protection, or environment protection, refers to the taking of measures to protecting the natural environment, prevent pollution and maintain ecological balance. Action may be taken by individuals, advocacy groups and governments. ...

by following the "5Rs": rethink,

reduce, reuse, recycle The waste management hierarchy, waste hierarchy, or "hierarchy of waste management options", is a tool used in the evaluation of processes that protect the environment alongside resource and energy consumption from most favourable to least fa ...

, and respect. In 2006, the Miss Earth pageant started to co-host the United Nations Environment Programme's Champions of the Earth, annual international environment awards established in 2005 by the United Nations to recognize outstanding environmental achievers and leaders at a policy level. Miss Earth also joined with Greenpeace to call for a ban on genetically-engineered food crops, promotion of organic farming and advancement of sustainable agriculture. The Miss Earth Foundation teamed up with The Climate Reality Project in 2016 for the "Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training" conducted by its founder and chairman, former US Vice President Al Gore to create an effective platform awareness on

climate change Present-day climate change includes both global warming—the ongoing increase in Global surface temperature, global average temperature—and its wider effects on Earth's climate system. Climate variability and change, Climate change in ...

. In 2022, the

(ACB) and the

formally established their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the "Beauties for Biodiversity" event held at ACB Headquarters in Laguna, Philippines. The MoU was signed by Miss Earth 2021,

Destiny Wagner Destiny Evelyn Wagner (born March 8, 1996) is a Belizean author, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Earth 2021. She is the first Belizean to win the Miss Earth title and the first to win one of the Big Four beauty pageants. Bac ...

, and Atty. Genalyn Bagon-Soriano on behalf of their respective organizations. Following the signing, there was an interactive learning session in which

Miss Earth 2022 Miss Earth 2022 was the 22nd edition of the Miss Earth pageant, held at the Okada Manila in Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines, on 29 November 2022. The competition returned to the Philippines into a standard format for the first time sinc ...

candidates discussed various global issues related to fauna and flora. At the end of the event, the candidates expressed their commitment to

advocacy by issuing a manifesto. The event marked the beginning of activities leading up to the Miss Earth 2022 finale.

Eco-fashion design competition

On November 4, 2008, the first Miss Earth Eco-Fashion Design Competition was launched by the Miss Earth Foundation as an annual event for professional and non-professional fashion designers to come up with designs that are

eco-friendly Environment friendly processes, or environmental-friendly processes (also referred to as eco-friendly, nature-friendly, and green), are sustainability and marketing terms referring to goods and services, laws, guidelines and policies that c ...

. The outfit designs are made from

recyclable Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. This concept often includes the recovery of energy from waste materials. The recyclability of a material depends on its ability to reacquire the propert ...

natural materials * A ″ natural material a substance that comes from plants, animals, or the earth, and has not been made by humans.. Minerals and the metals that can be extracted from them (without further modification) are also considered to belong into this ...

organic material Organic matter, organic material or natural organic matter is the large source of carbon-based compounds found within natural and engineered, terrestrial, and aquatic environments. It is matter composed of organic compounds that have come fro ...

s, and eco-chic designs or patterns that can be worn in everyday life or are

runway In aviation, a runway is an elongated, rectangular surface designed for the landing and takeoff of an aircraft. Runways may be a human-made surface (often asphalt concrete, asphalt, concrete, or a mixture of both) or a natural surface (sod, ...

worthy.

Participating countries

The pageant has attracted delegates from countries and territories that typically frown upon beauty pageants. In 2003,

Vida Samadzai Vida Samadzai (born 22 February 1978) is an Afghan-American actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder who was Miss Afghanistan 2003. As the first Afghan woman to participate in an international beauty pageant since 1974, her appearance in a ...

, an Afghan, now residing in the United States, received press attention after she competed in a red

bikini A bikini is a two-piece swimsuit primarily worn by women that features one piece on top that covers the breasts, and a second piece on the bottom: the front covering the pelvis but usually exposing the navel, and the back generally covering ...

. Samadzai was the first Afghan to compete in an international beauty pageant in almost three decades, but the fact that she wore a bikini caused an uproar in her native country. Her involvement in the pageant was condemned by the

Afghan Supreme Court The Supreme Court of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, known locally as the ''Stera Mahkama'' (; ), is the court of last resort of Afghanistan. Under the current Taliban government, the court has no independence or power of judicial review; ...

, saying such a display of the female body goes against

Islamic law Sharia, Sharī'ah, Shari'a, or Shariah () is a body of religious law that forms a part of the Islamic tradition based on scriptures of Islam, particularly the Qur'an and hadith. In Islamic terminology ''sharīʿah'' refers to immutable, intan ...

and

Afghan culture The culture of Afghanistan has persisted for centuries and encompasses the cultural diversity of the nation. Afghanistan's culture is historically strongly connected to nearby Persia, including the same religion, as the people of both countries ...

. In 2005, a Pakistani beauty queen, Naomi Zaman, was the first

Miss Pakistan World Miss Pakistan World is a national beauty pageant for women of Pakistani descent from around the world. The event used to be held in Toronto, Canada but has moved to Pakistan and is held annually in Lahore, Pakistan. History Launched in Canad ...

winner to participate in Miss Earth, and is the first delegate from Pakistan to compete in any major international pageant; beauty pageants are frowned upon in Pakistan. Miss Tibet Earth 2006, Tsering Chungtak, the first

Tibetan Tibetan may mean: * of, from, or related to Tibet * Tibetan people, an ethnic group * Tibetan language: ** Classical Tibetan, the classical language used also as a contemporary written standard ** Standard Tibetan, the most widely used spoken dial ...

to represent

Tibet Tibet (; ''Böd''; ), or Greater Tibet, is a region in the western part of East Asia, covering much of the Tibetan Plateau and spanning about . It is the homeland of the Tibetan people. Also resident on the plateau are other ethnic groups s ...

in any major international beauty pageant, made headlines when she drew international attention towards the Tibetan struggle for freedom. She also advocated for the boundaries of acceptable social etiquette towards the 21st century, in a traditionally conservative Tibetan culture, where most grown women wear ankle-length dresses. Nevertheless, her participation in the pageant received approval from the

Dalai Lama The Dalai Lama (, ; ) is the head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The term is part of the full title "Holiness Knowing Everything Vajradhara Dalai Lama" (圣识一切瓦齐尔达喇达赖喇嘛) given by Altan Khan, the first Shu ...

licensed the Miss Cuba organization in 2007 to select the first Cuban representative at Miss Earth.

Ariana Barouk Ariana Barouk (born November 5, 1982) is a Cuban-American actress, tv host, model, singer and beauty pageant titleholder who represented Cuba in the seventh edition of the environmentally-oriented Miss Earth 2007 international beauty pageant. Sh ...

won; she became the first Miss Cuba in several decades, and competed at the Miss Earth pageant. Also in 2007 pageant, Miss Earth made history when delegates from China, Hong Kong,

Macau Macau or Macao is a special administrative regions of China, special administrative region of the People's Republic of China (PRC). With a population of about people and a land area of , it is the most List of countries and dependencies by p ...

, Taiwan, and Tibet all competed together for the first time in an international pageant in spite of political sensitivities. In 2008, the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan, one of the world's most isolated nations, sent its first Miss Bhutan, Tsokye Tsomo Karchun. Rwanda also sent its first ever Miss Rwanda national winner, Cynthia Akazuba; both of them competed at the

Miss Earth 2008 Miss Earth 2008 was the eighth edition of the Miss Earth pageant, held at the Clark Expo Amphitheater in Angeles City, Philippines, on November 9, 2008. Jessica Trisko of Canada crowned Karla Henry of the Philippines as her successor the en ...

pageant. In 2009, Beauties of Africa, Inc., the franchise holder of Miss Earth South Sudan sent Aheu Kidum Deng, Miss South Sudan 2009, who stands 196 cm (6 feet and 5 inches), and is the tallest documented beauty queen ever to take part in any international beauty pageants.

Palestine Palestine, officially the State of Palestine, is a country in West Asia. Recognized by International recognition of Palestine, 147 of the UN's 193 member states, it encompasses the Israeli-occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and th ...

debuted in one of the Big Four pageants in 2016 via Miss Earth when Natali Rantissi represented Palestine with the approval of

Mahmoud Abbas Mahmoud Abbas (; born 15 November 1935), also known by the Kunya (Arabic), kunya Abu Mazen (, ), is a Palestinian politician who has been serving as the second president of Palestine and the President of the Palestinian National Authority, P ...

, the

President of the State of Palestine The president of the State of Palestine () is the head of state of Palestine. Yasser Arafat became the first titular president of the State of Palestine in 1989, one year after the Palestinian Declaration of Independence. The title was origina ...

and

Palestinian National Authority The Palestinian Authority (PA), officially known as the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), is the Fatah-controlled government body that exercises partial civil control over the Palestinian enclaves in the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a c ...

, where she made a courtesy call at the Moukata Palace prior to her departure to participate in the pageant. Miss Palestine refused to wear a bikini but was allowed to partake in the events including in the

Miss Earth 2016 Miss Earth 2016, the 16th edition of the Miss Earth pageant, with the theme "Empowered to make a Change", was held on October 29, 2016, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. 83 contestants from all over the world compet ...

finale. Also in the 2016 pageant, the Miss Iraq Organization sent Susan Amer Sulaimani as Iraq's first representative since 1972 in Big Four pageants to participate in Miss Earth 2016. She was the only one who wore a dress instead of a bikini during the pageant's

press-conference A press conference, also called news conference or press briefing, is a media event in which notable individuals or organizations invite journalism, journalists to hear them speak and ask questions. Press conferences are often held by politicia ...

. In the 2017 pageant, Miss Rwanda Honorine Hirwa Uwase appeared in the swimsuit competition wearing a gown, maintaining a long-held Rwanda tradition of not wearing bikinis in public.

Miss Lebanon Miss Lebanon () is the national beauty pageant of Lebanon. The winner is a representative of the Ministry of Tourism (Lebanon), Ministry of Tourism and is sent to represent Lebanon at Miss Universe and Miss World. History Since 1995, the pagea ...

2018 Salwa Akar received international press attention when she was stripped of her title in Lebanon, while participating in

Miss Earth 2018 Miss Earth 2018 was the 18th edition of the Miss Earth pageant, held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Bay City, Pasay, Metro Manila, the Philippines, on November 3, 2018. Karen Ibasco of the Philippines crowned her successor Nguyễn Phương ...

pageant after she posted a photo in Facebook with her arm around

Miss Israel Miss Israel (also referred to as , , ) was a national beauty pageant in Israel. The pageant was founded in 1950, where the winners were sent to Miss Universe. History In the late 1920s, a "Esther, Queen Esther Beauty Pageant" was held in Tel Avi ...

's Dana Zerik and gestured the

peace sign A number of peace symbols have been used many ways in various cultures and contexts. The dove and olive branch was used symbolically by early Christians and then eventually became a secular peace symbol, popularized by a ''Dove'' lithograph ...

. Lebanon and Israel are in a long-standing state of war. As a result, she was unable to continue her participation in the Miss Earth pageant. In a press release, Israel's Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu (born 21 October 1949) is an Israeli politician who has served as the prime minister of Israel since 2022, having previously held the office from 1996 to 1999 and from 2009 to 2021. Netanyahu is the longest-serving prime min ...

's spokesman Ofir Gendelman, reacted on Akar's dethronement and condemned the "Lebanese apartheid". Papua New Guinea sent its first representative in the

Miss Earth 2019 Miss Earth 2019 was the 19th edition of the Miss Earth pageant, held at the Okada Manila in Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines, on October 26, 2019. Nguyễn Phương Khánh of Vietnam crowned Nellys Pimentel of Puerto Rico as her succe ...

pageant with Pauline Tibola, becoming the first representative in the

Big Four international beauty pageants The Big Four or the Big League Pageants refers to the four major international beauty pageants for women — Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth. The group was first described by the ''China Daily'' newspaper in ...

since

Miss World 1990 Miss World 1990, the 40th anniversary of the Miss World pageant, was held on 8 November 1990 at the London Palladium in London, United Kingdom. The winner was Gina Tolleson representing United States. She was crowned by Miss World 1989, Aneta ...

. In 2020, the 20th edition of Miss Earth marked the entrant of countries such as Bangladesh (Meghna Alam), Burkina Faso (Amira Naïmah Bassané) and Syria (Tiya Alkerdi). It was the second time Burkina Faso participated in the Big Four pageants after Miss International 2019 and first for Syria to participate in major international pageant in several decades after

Miss World 1966 Miss World is the oldest existing international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. Since his death in 2000, Morley's widow, Julia Morley, has co-chaired the pageant. Along with Miss Universe, Miss In ...

. The Miss Iran Organization crowned Hami Zaker in 2021 as its first Miss Earth Iran in which she competed in the

Miss Earth 2021 Miss Earth 2021 was the 21st edition of the Miss Earth pageant, held in various locations virtually on November 21, 2021, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. At the end of the event, Lindsey Coffey of the United States was succeeded by De ...

and became the first Iranian woman to participate in the Big Four international pageant. She participated in the swimsuit competition, albeit in a conservative outfit that recognized her nation's cultural background. At

, Burundi participated in their first Big Four pageant with Lauria Nishimwe. Cabo Verde (Tayrine da Veiga) and Senegal (Camilla Diagné) also debuted at this event. In

2024 The year saw the list of ongoing armed conflicts, continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Myanmar civil war (2021–present), Myanmar civil war, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudane ...

, the

Arab nations The Arab world ( '), formally the Arab homeland ( '), also known as the Arab nation ( '), the Arabsphere, or the Arab states, comprises a large group of countries, mainly located in West Asia and North Africa. While the majority of people in ...

of Algeria (Sadjia Herbane) and the United Arab Emirates ( Noura Al Jasmi) will compete in the pageant for the first time. This will mark the United Arab Emirates' debut in any major international pageant.

Host countries

The pageant was held in the Philippines every year from 2001 to 2009.

Miss Earth 2006 Miss Earth 2006 was the sixth edition of the Miss Earth pageant, held at the grounds of the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila, Philippines, on 26 November 2006. At the end of the event, Alexandra Braun of Venezuela crowned Hil Hern� ...

was scheduled to be held in

Santiago Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...

, Chile on November 15, 2006, but the host country failed to meet the requirements of the host committee; the pageant was moved back to the Philippines. In 2008, the pageant was held for the first time outside

Metro Manila Metropolitan Manila ( ), commonly shortened to Metro Manila and formally the National Capital Region (NCR; ), is the capital region and largest List of metropolitan areas in the Philippines, metropolitan area of the Philippines. Located ...

. It was held at the Clark Expo Amphitheater in

Angeles City Angeles (), officially the City of Angeles (; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, highly urbanized city in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 462,928 people. A ...

Pampanga Pampanga, officially the Province of Pampanga (; ; ), is a province in Central Luzon in the Philippines. Lying on the northern shore of Manila Bay, Pampanga is bordered by Tarlac to the north, Nueva Ecija to the northeast, Bulacan to the east, ...

Miss Earth 2009 Miss Earth 2009, the 9th edition of the Miss Earth pageant, was held on November 22, 2009 at the Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center in Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines. Karla Henry of Philippines crowned her successor Larissa Ram ...

, marked the first time that the final was held outside

Luzon Luzon ( , ) is the largest and most populous List of islands in the Philippines, island in the Philippines. Located in the northern portion of the List of islands of the Philippines, Philippine archipelago, it is the economic and political ce ...

; in

Boracay Boracay (; sometimes shortened by non-natives as Bora) is a resort island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, located off the northwest coast of Panay, Panay Island. It has a total land area of , under the jurisdiction of thre ...

in Malay,

Aklan Aklan, officially the Province of Aklan, is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Its capital and largest town is Kalibo. The province is situated in the northwest portion of Panay, Panay Islan ...

. In 2010, the pageant finally took place for the first time outside the Philippines. The coronation night venue for

Miss Earth 2010 Miss Earth 2010 was the 10th edition of the Miss Earth pageant, held at the Vinpearl Land Amphitheater in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on December 4, 2010. Larissa Ramos of Brazil crowned Nicole Faria of India as her successor at the end of the event. ...

was held in

Nha Trang Nha Trang ( or ; ) is a coastal city and capital of Khánh Hòa Province, on the South Central Coast of Vietnam. It is bounded on the north by Ninh Hoà town, on the south by Cam Ranh city and on the west by Diên Khánh District. The city had ...

, Vietnam. In 2011, the pageant was scheduled to be held on December 3, 2011, at the

Impact, Muang Thong Thani Impact, Muang Thong Thani () is a commercial complex consisting of the Impact Arena, a convention centre, and exhibition halls, located in Muang Thong Thani in Pak Kret District of Nonthaburi Province, a northern suburb of Bangkok, Thailand ...

Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...

, Thailand but due to flood situation in Thailand, Carousel Productions decided to move the

Miss Earth 2011 Miss Earth 2011, the 11th edition of the Miss Earth pageant, was held on December 3, 2011 at the University of the Philippines Theater, inside the campus of the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, Philippines. Nicole Faria o ...

pageant venue back to

Manila Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the Capital of the Philippines, capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines after Quezon City, with a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on ...

, Philippines. In 2012, the pageant was supposed to be held in

Bali Bali (English:; Balinese language, Balinese: ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller o ...

, Indonesia but the organizers did not meet the minimum requirements on time, so it was moved back to the Philippines. Miss Earth 2012 was held on November 24, 2012, at the Palace in

Muntinlupa Muntinlupa (), officially the City of Muntinlupa (), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, highly urbanized city in the Metro Manila, National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population o ...

, Philippines.

Miss Earth 2015 Miss Earth 2015 was the 15th edition of the Miss Earth pageant, held at the Marx Halle in Vienna, Austria, on December 5, 2015. Jamie Herrell of the Philippines crowned her compatriot Angelia Ong as her successor at the end of the event. It w ...

was held for the first time in Europe at Marx Halle in

Vienna Vienna ( ; ; ) is the capital city, capital, List of largest cities in Austria, most populous city, and one of Federal states of Austria, nine federal states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants. ...

, Austria. On July 18, 2022, vice-president of Miss Earth organization Lorraine Schuck announced that Miss Earth 2023 will be held in Vietnam for the second time.

Venues

Virtual editions

The

caused travel restrictions that would have the contestants travel to the Philippines and then be subject to a 14-day quarantine period upon arrival. It was announced on 14 August 2020, that the Miss Earth Organization would have to crown their new titleholders at a

Virtual event A virtual event is an online event that involves people interacting in a virtual environment on the web, rather than meeting in a physical location. Virtual events are typically multi-session online events that often feature webinars and webca ...

on 29 November 2020 for the first time in the organization's history. The pageant started on 21 September 2020 and ran for a couple of months. On 12 October 2020, the organization held a "Getting to Know You" virtual meet and greet with each delegate hosted by former Miss Earth 2008

Karla Henry Karla Paula Ginteroy Henry (; born May 23, 1986) is a Filipino-Canadian model and beauty queen. She was crowned Miss Earth 2008, becoming the first Philippine delegate and the first in the Asian region to win that title. Early life Henry was r ...

. The pageant preliminary was streamed on KTX on 24 November 2020. The candidates were split into four continental groups: Asia & Oceania, Africa, Americas, and Europe and then competed in the following categories: Earth Talk, Talent, Evening Gown, Swimsuit, Sports Wear, National Costume, and Interview with Netizens. The preliminary judging categories are: Beauty of Face, Fitness, and Environmental Awareness. The pre-pageant activities and coronation night were conducted virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic for the second consecutive year in 2021.

Eligibility and judging criteria

Competing delegates must have never been married or given birth and be between 18 and 28 years of age. In the pre-judging stage, Miss Earth delegates are judged on their intelligence and their knowledge of environmental issues and policies, comprising 30% of the total score, while the remaining criteria are as follows: 35% for beauty and knowledge, 20% form and figure, 10% poise, and 5% attitude. The delegates then participate in three rounds of competition: swimsuit, evening gown and question-and-answer. The last round focuses on topics of environmental concern.

Titles and semi-finalists

In the early years of the pageant, from 2001 to 2003, ten semi-finalists were chosen at Miss Earth. From 2004 to 2017, sixteen semi-finalists are chosen with the exception of the 10th (2010) edition where only 14 semi-finalists were selected. The number has since then increased to 18 in 2018 and 20 in 2019. Since 2004, semi-finalists are cut to eight finalists, then to the final four from which the winner and her elemental court are announced. By 2019, the number of finalists were increased to 10. The pageant's winner is crowned Miss Earth; the Runners-up are named after the

classical elements The classical elements typically refer to earth, water, air, fire, and (later) aether which were proposed to explain the nature and complexity of all matter in terms of simpler substances. Ancient cultures in Greece, Angola, Tibet, India, ...

: Miss Fire (third runner-up), Miss Water (second runner-up), and Miss Air (first runner-up); from 2010, the "elemental titles" (Air, Water, and Fire bestowed on the next three delegates with highest scores after the Miss Earth winner) were proclaimed of equal importance and thus have the same ranking and no longer classified as "runner-up".

Recent titleholders

Gallery of titleholders

File:Jessica Lane (cropped) (2).jpg, Miss Earth 2024

Australia File:Drita Ziri (2024).jpg, Miss Earth 2023

Drita Ziri Drita Ziri (born 26 May 2005) is an Albanian beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Earth 2023. She is the first Albanian to win the Miss Earth title and to win one of the Big Four beauty pageants. Winning the title at 18 years and 21 ...

Albania File:Mina Sue Choi (cropped).jpg, Miss Earth 2022
Mina Sue Choi
South Korea File:Destiny Wagner in Zamboanga City (2022) (cropped).jpg, Miss Earth 2021

Belize File:Lindsey Marie Coffey (cropped).jpg, Miss Earth 2020

Lindsey Coffey Lindsey Marie Coffey (born January 8, 1992) is an American fashion model, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Earth 2020. This made her the first US entry to win the Miss Earth title. Early life and education Coffey is from Center ...

United States File:Nellys Pimentel in Zamboanga City (2022).jpg, Miss Earth 2019

Nellys Pimentel Nellys Rocio Pimentel Campusano (born 27 April 1997) is a Puerto Rican model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Earth 2019. She became the first-ever Puerto Rican and Caribbean woman to win Miss Earth. Early life and education Pimentel was ...

Puerto Rico File:Phương Khánh on SaigonTV.jpg, Miss Earth 2018
Phương Khánh Nguyễn
Vietnam File:Karen Ibasco (cropped).jpg, Miss Earth 2017
Karen Ibasco
Philippines File:Katherine Espin (cropped).jpg, Miss Earth 2016
Katherine Espín
Ecuador File:Angelia Ong, Miss Earth 2015, on Life TV.jpg, Miss Earth 2015

Angelia Ong Angelia Gabrena Paglicawan Ong (; born June 27, 1990) is a Filipina beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Philippines Earth 2015 and Miss Earth 2015. Early life and education Angelia Gabrena Paglicawan Ong is half Filipino and half Chines ...

Philippines File:Jamie Herrell (Miss Philippines Earth 2014 ).jpg, Miss Earth 2014

Jamie Herrell Jamie Herrell (; born July 12, 1994) is a Filipina news anchor and beauty pageant titleholder. She won Miss Philippines Earth 2014 and Miss Earth 2014. Herrell was a recipient of the Outstanding Individual Award during the 80th Cebu City Chart ...

Philippines File:Alyz Henrich (2016) (cropped).jpg, Miss Earth 2013

Alyz Henrich Alyz Sabimar Henrich Ocando (born October 19, 1991) is a Venezuelan model, environmentalist, humanitarian advocate and beauty queen. She represented Falcón state at Miss Venezuela 2012 pageant where she was crowned Miss Venezuela Earth. On De ...

Venezuela File:Tereza Fajksova Olympia 2013.jpg, Miss Earth 2012

Tereza Fajksová Tereza Fajksová (born 17 May 1989) is a Czech model and beauty queen who won Miss Earth 2012. Fajksová is the first delegate from the Czech Republic to win the Miss Earth title. Biography Fajksová comes from the small town of Ivančice in ...

Czech Republic File:Nicole Faria at the First look launch of 'Yaariyan'.jpg, Miss Earth 2010

Nicole Faria Nicole Faria Powar (née Faria; born 9 February 1990) is an Indian actress, model and the winner of the Miss Earth 2010 pageant. She is the brand ambassador for various brands including Clean & Clear and Swiss luxury wristwatches, Frédérique ...

India File:Earth2009press01.jpg, Miss Earth 2009

Larissa Ramos Larissa Ramos (born February 4, 1989) is a Brazilian model and beauty queen who won Miss Earth 2009. She was previously crowned Miss Terra Brasil 2009, becoming the second Brazilian to win the title. Miss Terra Brasil 2009 Representing the Stat ...

Brazil File:Karla Henry.jpg, Miss Earth 2008

Philippines File:MissEarth2007.jpg, Miss Earth 2007

Jessica Trisko Jessica Nicole Trisko Darden (née Trisko; born August 20, 1984) is a Canadian academic, activist, former model, and beauty queen. She is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University and Director of the Security a ...

Canada File:Hilhernandez.png, Miss Earth 2006
Hil Hernandez
Chile File:MissEarth2005.jpg, Miss Earth 2005

Alexandra Braun Alexandra Braun Waldeck (, born May 19, 1983) is a Venezuelan actress, model and beauty queen who won the 2005 edition of Miss Earth, an annual international beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness. Braun has won four international b ...

Venezuela File:Priscilla Meirelles.jpg, Miss Earth 2004

Priscilla Meirelles Priscilla Meirelles de Almeida-Estrada (born 5 September 1983) is a Brazilian model, television host, actress, environmentalist and beauty queen. She won the Miss Earth 2004 pageant held in the Philippines, becoming the 4th Miss Earth. She a ...

Brazil File:Catharina Svensson, Miss Earth 2001.jpg, Miss Earth 2001

Catharina Svensson Catharina Brink ( Svensson; born July 24, 1982) is a Danish lawyer, equestrienne, model and beauty queen who won the first ever Miss Earth 2001. Early and personal life Svensson was originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, and carries dual citize ...

Denmark

Crown and jewelry

File:MissEarth2007Court.png, ''(L –R) The Elemental Court of

Miss Earth 2007 Miss Earth 2007, the seventh edition of the Miss Earth pageant, was held on November 12, 2007 at the University of the Philippines Theater, on campus of the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, Philippines. 88 delegates compet ...

: Miss Earth-Water (Venezuela), Miss Earth (Canada), Miss Earth-Air (India) and Miss Earth-Fire (Spain).'' * The Miss Earth Crown (2001) - Created by a Filipino designer, Arnel Papa, it is the first Miss Earth crown which held at the first edition of Miss Earth in

of Denmark was the only Miss Earth titleholder to wear this crown. * Swarovski Crown (2002–2008) - With the same Filipino crown designer, it is the second Miss Earth crown which first used in the 2nd edition of Miss Earth. File:Phương Khánh on SaigonTV.jpg, '' Phương Khánh Nguyễn

wearing Flower Crown/Gem Crown.'' * Flower Crown / Gem Crown (2009–2022) - On November 16, 2009, Miss Earth unveiled a new crown designed by

jewelry designer Jewellery design is the art or profession of designing and creating jewellery. It is one of civilization's earliest forms of decoration, dating back at least 7,000 years to the oldest-known human societies in Indus Valley Civilization, Mesopota ...

Ramona Haar with the frame made of 100% recycled 14-karat gold and argentums sterling silver, with precious stones composed of black diamonds, sardonyx, calcite, ruby, jade quartz crystal, garnet, peridot, and pearls gathered from over 80 of the participating countries in 2009. In the 13th edition of the Miss Earth, new tiaras were introduced for the elemental titleholders called "elemental crowns", representing Air, Water, and Fire, with multicolored precious stones in different hues of gold and yellow, sapphire and blue, and scarlet and red. File:Drita Ziri (cropped).jpg, ''

Miss Earth 2023 Miss Earth 2023 was the 23rd edition of the Miss Earth pageant, held at the Vạn Phúc City Water Music Square in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on December 22, 2023. Mina Sue Choi of South Korea crowned Drita Ziri of Albania as her successor ...

wearing Long Beach Pearl crown.'' * Long Beach Pearl Crown (2023–Present) - The crown, designed by the founder of Long Beach Pearl, Mrs. Bùi Thị Mỹ Cảnh (which is also the crown maker of

) was first used in the 23rd edition. The crown with the theme of "Unique, United - For the Common Planet Crown," is made of gold combined with pearls and gemstones with outstanding colors, which includes the 87 precious bright pearls. The significance of the number 87 is emphasized to signify the elements, which representing peace, prosperity, and longevity. The 6 South Sea pearls in the middle forming a circle combined with the colored stone border outside, creating a highlight symbolizing the constant and cyclical movement of the Earth, and also for the source of life for trees, nature, creatures, and people. Meanwhile, the yellow color of South Sea pearls also represents prosperity, happiness, and luck, with the curvy lines studded with white pearls also contribute to the decoration, instead of a call to join hands to protect the Earth.

References

External links

* {{Big Four Pageants International beauty pageants Recurring events established in 2001

Inception and early history

Programs and advocacy

Eco-fashion design competition

Participating countries

Host countries

Venues

Virtual editions

Eligibility and judging criteria

Titles and semi-finalists

Recent titleholders

Gallery of titleholders

Crown and jewelry

See also

References

Further reading

External links