|
MISS EARTH ENGLAND
JORDAN-LOUISE SMITH
DESCRIBE YOUR CHILDHOOD/GROWING YEARS
I grew up in a coastal town in one of England's most beautiful counties – Cumbria. Growing up on the coast was an absolute blessing, as I spent countless hours as a child at the beach truly immersed in the beautiful natural landscapes. This love has continued into my adult years as I regularly volunteer with my local beach cleanup organisation. Most of my time at the beach growing up, however, would have been spent with family, friends, and most importantly – our dogs. To this day I am a huge dog lover, and love to spend time with them as often as I can.
As a child I inherited a very strong work ethic from my parents, both of whom worked full time in order to provide for our family. This inspired me to volunteer with different organisations from a young age as well as getting my first job at the age of 13.
I was a very academic child and I really enjoyed going to school because I loved to learn, ask questions, and seek new knowledge. My favourite subject was always math, and for as long as I can remember I wanted to work within the finance industry, because I have always had a fascination with how it can connect people from all walks of life, all over the world. This is what inspired my career as a chartered accountant.
As a child I inherited a very strong work ethic from my parents, both of whom worked full time in order to provide for our family. This inspired me to volunteer with different organisations from a young age as well as getting my first job at the age of 13.
I was a very academic child and I really enjoyed going to school because I loved to learn, ask questions, and seek new knowledge. My favourite subject was always math, and for as long as I can remember I wanted to work within the finance industry, because I have always had a fascination with how it can connect people from all walks of life, all over the world. This is what inspired my career as a chartered accountant.
WHAT IS YOUR MEMORABLE MOMENT?
My most memorable moment was when I finally got to walk the graduation stage after completing my degree in Accounting and Finance, where I obtained first class honours. I was the very first person in my family to go to university, so it filled me with immense pride to walk on the stage to receive my degree certificate with members of my family watching in the audience.
From a young age I have always had a keen interest in the world around me, which fostered a love for learning, asking questions and seeking knowledge. This highlighted the importance of education to me, and I am extremely grateful to have had a supportive family and the fantastic English public school system that allowed me to further my academic pursuits as well as supporting my creativity.
From a young age I have always had a keen interest in the world around me, which fostered a love for learning, asking questions and seeking knowledge. This highlighted the importance of education to me, and I am extremely grateful to have had a supportive family and the fantastic English public school system that allowed me to further my academic pursuits as well as supporting my creativity.
ANY SPECIAL STORIES OR FACTS ABOUT YOUR FAMILY?
My family name “Smith” comes from my grandfather’s family, who are originally from Scotland. The surname Smith was an occupational surname that means to hit or to strike, and was primarily given to those who worked with metal (e.g., a blacksmith). Many generations of my family have worked within industrial roles, with my great grandparents working in iron mines, steel works and wire mills, and cousins who still work in the shipbuilding industry.
WHAT IS THE MOST UNUSUAL THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE?
In 2022 I was invited to Scottish Parliament, and when I got there, I walked into a room full of politicians and spoke to them about my personal experience with eating disorders as part of a campaign to prevent harmful legislation from being introduced.
WHAT TIPS CAN YOU SHARE TO PROMOTE ECOTOURISM & CLIMATE CHANGE?
We can all make small, simple changes that can collectively have a huge impact on helping to protect our planet and help prevent further climate change. Some of these things can be as simple as carrying your own reusable drinks bottles and mugs instead of using disposable cups. This is particularly good when you’re travelling! When travelling, it is also important to support local economies by buying local products and services that promote sustainable and fair-trade practices, this helps to ensure that the economic benefits of ecotourism can go back to the local communities.
WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD OF YOUR COUNTRY?
The natural beauty of our diverse and picturesque landscape from rolling countryside to serene coastlines speak to a land blessed by nature’s hand, and our national parks are a testament to our dedication to preserving the splendor of our environment for future generations.
England’s commitment to healthcare for all is perhaps what fills me with the greatest pride – the NHS stands as a beacon of compassion and equity; it is a testament to our belief that access to quality healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
England’s commitment to healthcare for all is perhaps what fills me with the greatest pride – the NHS stands as a beacon of compassion and equity; it is a testament to our belief that access to quality healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVOCACY?
My advocacy focuses on conscious consumption because I believe there is a great amount of power in where and how you choose to spend your money, for example supporting local, small businesses helps to give back to the local economy whilst also reducing your carbon footprint.
I have always had a love for fashion, it is a powerful form of self-expression and creativity, that allows us to communicate our identity, culture, and values to the world. However, the traditional fashion industry has often been associated with exploitation, overconsumption, and environmental degradation. So, we need to rethink how we see fashion.
My primary aim is to show people that sustainable fashion is not a luxury, but a necessity and can still be just as fun. I educate on the importance of re-wearing, re-styling, and re-purposing garments, because after all the most sustainable clothes are the ones already in your wardrobe.
I have always had a love for fashion, it is a powerful form of self-expression and creativity, that allows us to communicate our identity, culture, and values to the world. However, the traditional fashion industry has often been associated with exploitation, overconsumption, and environmental degradation. So, we need to rethink how we see fashion.
My primary aim is to show people that sustainable fashion is not a luxury, but a necessity and can still be just as fun. I educate on the importance of re-wearing, re-styling, and re-purposing garments, because after all the most sustainable clothes are the ones already in your wardrobe.