Lindsey Coffey
on Being Miss Earth for a Conscious
Future of Fashion
The unseen face of beauty is rarely one we get a chance to discover.
But there is someone who's seen both sides of it: Lindsey.
A fashion model and environmental activist, Lindsey Coffey became the first and only U.S. representative to win the international title of Miss Earth in 2020. Her love for our planet began with travelling the world and falling for its natural wonders, only to witness the destruction behind the clothes, the photographs, and the glamour.
She saw the deforestation of the Peruvian jungle, swam through dying coral reefs off the coast of Australia, was trapped in the middle of a hurricane in New Jersey and lived through the worst water crisis in the history of South Africa: “That was the first time I experienced fresh water, an item of necessity, turn into an item of luxury! I realized the consequences of how we live would change the course of humanity, and that's when I knew I had to take action.”
During the pandemic, she discovered Miss Earth, an environmentally focused pageant system. The idea initially felt weird, and Lindsey also didn’t believe she had what it took to become a voice for the planet: “I felt inadequate and underqualified to represent our beloved Mother Earth. I was a model, born in a town no one’s heard of, and I didn’t have a degree in environmental science to be taken seriously.”
But the experience challenged the story she had been telling herself. Lindsey discovered that genuine care, dedication and persistence are also a different fabric of qualifications: “I came to understand we are the ones who stand in the way of our own success, that our mind is our greatest obstacle!”
Today, she uses the visibility she gained to campaign, speak and lobby for climate justice, wildlife conservation, ethical fashion and environmental preservation. She is a WWF Ambassador, Remake Fellow and Climate Reality Leader, and has worked with Greenpeace International and the United Nations. She also founded Fashion Forward, a modelling and mentorship initiative empowering established and aspiring models with the confidence and skills to help revolutionize the fashion industry.
Lindsey, however, dreams to “repair” more than the industry itself: “I’d love to help people revive the bond between themselves and Mother Earth! Our world is too driven by greed, power, and ego, distracting us from the true essence of life! Our obsession with productivity has distanced us from nature, but our bodies need connection to the natural world to function at our best.” She is here to help us remember how interconnected life is, and how we can bring back the joy by spreading more light on a world that became lost in the dark.
Read Lindsey Coffey’s answers for Inspirators and discover the caring human behind a beauty crown!
Thank you, Lindsey, for being a Conscious Miss Earth!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Lindsey Coffey
Title: Global Sustainability Advocate | Model + Host
Website: www.lindsey-coffey.com
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseymariecoffey/
Country of origin: USA
Country you currently live in: USA
Your definition of Regeneration: Briefly, I define regeneration as going beyond sustaining what exists and instead actively restoring, renewing, and improving.
To add more detail, regeneration is rooted in the wisdom of nature and the understanding that everything is connected. True regenerative leadership isn’t just about minimizing harm; it’s about creating space for people, communities, and the planet to thrive together. It’s leading with empathy, purpose, and love, knowing that real progress not only maintains, but regenerates life rather than depleting it.
Main challenge you face: Reshaping culture and encouraging collective action.
Main driver that keeps you going: Recognizing the sacredness of life. I’m driven by a deep desire to preserve the beauty of this planet and to honor life as it was always meant to be: balanced, connected, and at peace.
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: Resilience.
The trait you most value in others: It’s a close call between integrity and self-awareness.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: Hiking and spending time outdoors. Directionless walks. The silence of early mornings. DIY crafts. Volunteering. Meditation and journaling.
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you: All of them. Most companies that use these phrases are often unable to substantiate their claims. They rely on these words because they have nothing else to show consumers regarding their positive impact on the planet.
“Inspired by Nature”. Okay, nature aesthetically inspired this product, yet you destroyed nature to create it.
“Better for the planet”. Right…but how?
“Net-Zero/Carbon Neutral”. This one is tricky. I commend a company for investing in carbon offset programs; however, relying on offsets alone to justify a claim of sustainability is where the issue lies.
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: You don’t need the entire world to support you. You only need 3.5% of the population to create change.
Books that had a great impact on you / Must-Reads for any regenerative professional:
The Power of Now & A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
Let Them by Mel Robbins
Movies / Documentaries you would watch all over again: The Secret.
Websites / Podcasts you visit frequently: On Purpose with Jay Shetty.
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: Cape Town, South Africa / Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe / The Jordan River and Jerusalem in Israel / Budapest, Hungary.
Trends in Regeneration we should keep an eye on: Circularity / Product Upcycling / Carbon Capture.
I’m excited about the circularity arising in fashion as well as new ways to upcycle products and carbon capture, which have always fascinated me.
Events we should attend / Best places for networking (online or offline): Climate Week in NYC and Climate Correction Conference hosted by VoLo Foundation.
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: There has been growing climate awareness and action at both the individual and corporate levels, particularly among younger generations. Many companies are also integrating ESG strategies, adopting more sustainable supply chains, and incorporating circular economy principles.
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: Biodiversity loss and the accelerating impacts of climate change remain pressing and worsened by delayed policy action. There’s also an over-reliance on technology. Innovation is valuable, but it can easily create dependency and exacerbate environmental and social problems if mismanaged.
The quote that inspires you:
“The day you begin to make the greatest impact on the world is the day you show up for yourself, as yourself.” (Jennifer Healey)
Your quote that will inspire us:
