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Northern Ireland is green, cold and wet! (and very beautiful) The environment of Northern Ireland, according to the UN world soils map is classified as Sub -Arctic Tundra. In other words, the main vegetation in the absence of man is sphagnum moss, (turf or peat). However, this is not the local perception. Farmers drain land and change the soil type to a semi-arable status, which gives the visual illusion that the natural environment is grassland. The public perception of the cold, humid, windy climate has also been dimmed by the recent adoption of the motorcar as a metal raincoat. Moreover, the low price of heating oil provides the mechanism to improve the internal home environment without any thought given to the effects of burning oil on the air quality and global warming. Coal is more expensive but open fires are cheaper to install and therefore the favourite fuel for the senior citizens and the unwaged. It might be cold outside but there is always a brightly burning fire, a warm welcome and as often as not, music and fun in the Northern Ireland home - we also tend to leave our keys in the front door so that you can make yourself a cup of tea if we are out! The down side is the cost of fuel and environmental damage.

I plan to educate people in Northern Ireland on alternative energy sources including wind and solar power. Through a series of talks at primary schools I hope to educate young minds on renewable energy sources. This education can lead to a paradigm shift and make the use of renewable resources more prominent in the years to come. I will adopt renewable energy where possible and will be a force in encouraging others to adopt these renewable resources. As these forms of energy become more inexpensive and more accessible we can all do our part.

Gemma will be seen at the Miss Earth International final wearing only the finest top quality garments from