In 2024, a new chapter in Australia’s environmental and cultural history was written when Jessica Lane, a Queensland-based journalism student and passionate advocate for sustainability, made global headlines. On 11 August 2024, inside Sydney’s Bryan Brown Theatre, Lane achieved what no Queenslander had ever done before — winning the title of Miss Earth Australia 2024. Yet her victory on home soil was just the beginning. Only three months later, standing beneath the dazzling lights of Okada Manila and competing against more than 75 delegates from around the world, Lane captured the Miss Earth 2024 crown — the first in Australian history. With this historic win, Australia joined an elite group of nations to have claimed all four major international pageant titles: Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth.
It was a triumph that transcended pageantry. Lane’s story is one of intelligence, activism, and unwavering purpose — a story that continues to inspire a generation seeking to redefine what leadership and beauty mean in the modern age.
Photo Credit: Paul Vasquez
Born in Melbourne and raised in Queensland, Lane has always been drawn to storytelling and environmental stewardship. She is currently pursuing a degree in journalism, creative writing, and publishing at the University of the Sunshine Coast, determined to use her voice as an environmental journalist to raise awareness and drive change. Her advocacy began long before she wore a crown. At just eight years old, she launched her first fundraiser to end animal testing. By 18, she had shaved her head to raise nearly $10,000 for leukaemia patients. These early acts of empathy and conviction formed the foundation of her lifelong mission to amplify causes that matter.
Lane’s Miss Earth platform focuses on marine conservation, a cause that has become increasingly critical as ocean ecosystems face mounting threats. Her campaign, supported by organisations such as Nets Out Now and Sea Shepherd, calls for the removal of shark nets along Queensland’s coastline — a practice that unintentionally traps and kills whales, turtles, and dolphins. Her environmental commitment also extends to the fashion industry, where she champions sustainability through her charity, Dress for Tomorrow. The organisation promotes ethical consumption, circular fashion, and the reduction of textile waste, showcasing how fashion can evolve from a source of pollution to a platform for environmental good.
Her advocacy blends creativity and science, emotion and evidence — reflecting her multidisciplinary outlook. During her time in the Philippines, Lane endured six typhoons yet remained steadfast, joining turtle care programs, relief operations, and environmental education campaigns. She turned her stage appearances into acts of activism, wearing gowns made from recycled materials and marine-inspired designs that symbolised ocean resilience. Every performance was a statement that beauty, when aligned with purpose, can be a catalyst for awareness.
Beyond the pageant stage, Lane’s work has taken her from youth sustainability forums in Indonesia to policy discussions at the United Nations in New York and advocacy meetings in Washington DC. Her global experiences have positioned her as a leading youth voice for climate action and a bridge between local communities and international organisations.
Photo Credit: Paul Vasquez
Her philosophy of leadership is rooted in empowerment and authenticity. Through Dress for Tomorrow, she aims to expand her impact globally by building partnerships with NGOs, advocating for ethical fashion supply chains, and launching international petitions to end destructive fishing practices. She believes that individual actions can create ripple effects for the planet — that by influencing how people buy, produce, and consume, we can reshape industries harming our oceans and ecosystems.
Lane identifies the collapse of biodiversity as the most urgent environmental issue of our time. Australia’s rapid rate of species extinction underscores her call for an end to destructive trawl fishing and deforestation, alongside a national transition to renewable energy. She believes that meaningful change comes not only from governments but from individuals who decide that the planet’s health is worth fighting for.
Her approach to pageantry and environmentalism demonstrates that glamour and advocacy are not opposites but powerful allies. Sustainable gowns become conversation starters, and a crown becomes a tool to amplify causes. Through her social media platforms, she uses storytelling, educational content, and human connection to make sustainability more accessible. By blending creativity and education, she encourages people to take small, consistent steps toward change.
Her travels as Miss Earth exposed her to both the fragility and resilience of human and natural communities. Visiting underprivileged areas and witnessing pollution firsthand strengthened her commitment to her cause. She observed how joy and resilience persisted despite hardship — a powerful reminder that hope often thrives in the simplest places.
Lane’s message to those feeling powerless in the face of climate change is clear: small actions matter. She believes that action creates momentum, and momentum creates change.
Looking ahead, Lane envisions her reign as Miss Earth 2024 as only the beginning of her journey. She aims to leave a legacy of empowerment — one that inspires communities to take ownership of conservation, reimagines fashion as a sustainable art form, and makes environmental storytelling a mainstream force for change. She intends to continue as a journalist and advocate, using every platform available to champion the planet.
In an era where global action is often hindered by politics and apathy, Jessica Lane represents a rare blend of intellect, artistry, and integrity. Her victory stands as a landmark for Australian pageantry and a reminder that when beauty and purpose unite, they can become a powerful force for transformation. From Queensland’s shores to the world stage, she embodies the idea that true influence lies not in appearance, but in the impact one makes for the greater good.
