|
MISS EARTH MYANMAR
SOUNG HNIN SAN
DESCRIBE YOUR CHILDHOOD/GROWING YEARS
I always feel fortunate in my life, having supportive parents in pursuing things I want to. Living in Myanmar but being in a family of Chinese descent, I grew up with a lot of family dynamics and cultural influences. As a middle child, I always have the unique position of both looking up to older siblings as role models and providing guidance to my younger sibling.
WHAT IS YOUR MEMORABLE MOMENT?
My most memorable moment would be joining the very first pageant activity. Growing up, I never considered myself as beautiful. I remember learning how to walk, how to control my nerves, and most importantly how to stand up for myself. My very first local pageant experience taught me about inner confidence that radiates our outer appearance, and this is something very memorable to me.
ANY SPECIAL STORIES OR FACTS ABOUT YOUR FAMILY?
My family culture places a strong emphasis on family and respect for elders. We are taught to take care of our parents and grandparents. We are always united and have each other back in times of difficulty. They are always ready to provide guidance and mentorship in my life. We are adventurous and always have the greatest time together when we travel.
WHAT IS THE MOST UNUSUAL THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE?
Honestly speaking, joining the pageantry would be the most unusual thing I have ever done. I was just a girl who did not see myself in this industry before. Even my family or close friends in my circle did not even understand what pageantry stands for. But throughout the experiences, I realized the platform that pageants give to women, and I am very proud to be who I am today.
WHAT TIPS CAN YOU SHARE TO PROMOTE ECOTOURISM & CLIMATE CHANGE?
I believe it is critical to educate and encourage both tourists and local communities to promote the use of public transportation, carpooling, biking, and walking as eco-friendly ways to explore a destination. It’s also important to encourage tourists to minimize waste by reducing the use of single-use plastics, recycling, and reusing items. It is a great idea to provide recycling facilities in tourist areas and encourage responsible waste disposal.
WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD OF YOUR COUNTRY?
I have to say the people. Their friendly faces and positive attitude on life make them powerful human beings. In these times of challenges and uncertainties, their resiliency is something that made them stronger every single day and Burmese people are the reason that I feel proud about my country.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVOCACY?
Living in a very crowded and urbanized city where we don’t have space to grow plants, I have found out the importance indoor gardening. Nothing should not stop us from doing what we can as individuals and even the collective little steps could help to improve for our mother earth. I am encouraging people to do as much as they can to protect this one earth we have. To highlight some of the benefits, houseplants help remove indoor air pollutants and help purify the air. Large indoor plants and green walls can provide natural insulation, reducing the need for heating and cooling in indoor spaces. This can result in energy savings and lower greenhouse gas emissions. While indoor plants do not capture as much carbon dioxide as large outdoor trees, they still contribute to carbon sequestration. Over time, the carbon stored in the plant’s biomass can help mitigate climate change.