Karen Ibasco

{{Infobox pageant titleholder

| name = Karen Ibasco

| image = Karen Ibasco (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Ibasco in 2019

| birth_name = Karen Santos Ibasco

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|12|17}}

| birth_place = Manila, Philippines

| occupation = Medical Physicist

| years_active = 2016–present

| alma mater = University of Santo Tomas

| height = {{height|m=1.75}}https://ph.linkedin.com/in/karenibasco {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}

| title = {{Unbulleted list|Miss Philippines Earth 2017|Miss Earth 2017}}

| competitions = {{Unbulleted list|Binibining Pilipinas 2016|(Unplaced)|Miss Philippines Earth 2017|(Winner)|Miss Earth 2017|(Winner)}}

| eye_color = Brownhttps://ph.linkedin.com/in/karenibasco {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}

}}

Karen Santos Ibasco ({{IPA|tl|ɪˈbɐskɔ}}; born December 17, 1990) is a Filipina physicist and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2017.{{cite web|date=July 16, 2017|title=Physicist from Manila wins Miss Philippines Earth crown|url=http://www.interaksyon.com/physicist-from-manila-wins-miss-philippines-earth-crown/|access-date=November 4, 2017}} She represented the Philippines at the Miss Earth 2017 pageant and won the title.{{Cite web|title=PH's Karen Ibasco wins Miss Earth 2017|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/pageants/philippines-karen-ibasco-wins-miss-earth-2017|access-date=2020-12-30|website=Rappler|date=November 4, 2017 |language=en}}

Early life and education

Karen Santos Ibasco was born on December 17, 1990, in Manila, Philippines.{{cite web |title=Philippines' Karen Ibasco wins Miss Earth 2017 |url=https://www.ndbcnews.com.ph/news/philippines-karen-ibasco-wins-miss-earth-2017 |website=www.ndbcnews.com.ph |access-date=18 December 2023 |language=en |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123173426/https://www.ndbcnews.com.ph/news/philippines-karen-ibasco-wins-miss-earth-2017 |url-status=dead }} She is half-Filipino, half-Chinese. She studied at Hope Christian High School in Manila and she speaks Chinese fluently.{{Cite news|url=https://asiatimes.com/article/karen-ibasco-philippines-crowned-miss-earth-2017/|title=Karen Ibasco from Philippines crowned Miss Earth 2017|date=November 6, 2017|work=Asia Times|access-date=December 4, 2017}}

She obtained her bachelor's degree in applied physics majoring in instrumentation. She also has a master's degree in applied physics, majoring in medical physics at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, where she graduated cum laude on both degrees. She was also a former college instructor at the College of Science of the University of Santo Tomas and worked as a medical physicist at St. Luke's Medical Center, Global City.{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@tomasinoweb/thomasian-physicist-is-ph-bet-in-miss-earth-2017-47bf46434fd|title=Thomasian physicist is PH bet in Miss Earth 2017|date=July 16, 2017|access-date=November 4, 2017}}

Pageantry

=Binibining Pilipinas=

Ibasco was a candidate at the Binibining Pilipinas 2016 pageant and represented the city of Manila.{{cite web|url=http://push.abs-cbn.com/2017/7/16/fresh-scoops/manilas-karen-ibasco-wins-2017-miss-philippines-e-165480|title=Manila's Karen Ibasco wins 2017 Miss Philippines Earth crown - PUSH.COM.PH: Your ultimate showbiz hub!|first=Jeff |last=Fernando|website=Push|access-date=November 4, 2017}}

=Miss Philippines Earth=

Ibasco entered and won the Miss Philippines Earth pageant 2017, on July 15, 2017, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. During the hashtag, candidates drew from a fishbowl a topic to expound upon, Karen's hashtag was #fake news. She said:{{Cite web|title=Miss Philippines Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco's winning answers|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/pageants/miss-philippines-earth-2017-karen-ibasco-winning-answers|access-date=2020-12-30|website=Rappler|date=July 15, 2017 |language=en}}

Nowadays, a lot of people distribute fake news but one of the most important mediums is social media. We have to learn [how] to use it for social good. We have to learn to disseminate…and also to filter the right information not just for yourself but also for the people in your circle of influence.

During the question and answer section of the top five finalists, she was asked what she wanted to change about the environmental policies of the country. She responded:

Everyone is experiencing climate change. I’m just grateful that the Philippines has signed the Paris Treaty. What I want to see is to pass a carbon tax. In that way, we would invest in renewable energy to help our world to be a better place, greener, inhabitable for the whole country.

As the winner, she went on to represent the Philippines at Miss Earth 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/specials/miss-earth/philippines/175645-miss-philippines-earth-2017-karen-ibasco-manila|title=Karen Ibasco wins Miss Philippines Earth 2017|date=July 15, 2017 |access-date=November 4, 2017}}

=Miss Earth 2017=

Ibasco entered and won Miss Earth 2017, on November 4, 2017, at The Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines. She was crowned as Miss Earth 2017 by the outgoing Miss Earth 2016 Katherine Espín of Ecuador.{{cite web|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/life/11/04/17/philippines-karen-ibasco-wins-miss-earth-2017|title=Philippines' Karen Ibasco wins Miss Earth 2017|work=ABS-CBNnews.com|access-date=November 4, 2017}} She is the 4th Filipina to win the Miss Earth crown and the 3rd in the last four years.{{cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/specials/miss-earth/187356-philippines-karen-ibasco-wins-miss-earth-2017|title=PH's Karen Ibasco wins Miss Earth 2017|date=November 4, 2017 |access-date=November 4, 2017}}

During the hashtag segment, the top eight finalists were given 30 seconds to express their thoughts on a hashtag that they picked out of a bowl. Karen's hashtag was #biodiversity. She said:{{Cite web|title=READ: Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco's full Q&A|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/pageants/miss-earth-2017-karen-ibasco-qna-question-and-answer|access-date=2020-12-30|website=Rappler|date=November 4, 2017 |language=en}}

Biodiversity is very important. We are very known in the Philippines to have a lot of biodiversity, and they're very important because they also balances the ecosystem. It's very important for us to protect them, because as we protect them, we protect the environment to help save our home, our planet, our Earth, to be a better place to live in. Thank you.

During the final question and answer portion, the top four contestants were asked by the host James Deakin: "Who or what do you think is the biggest enemy of Mother Earth and why?" She answered:{{cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/specials/miss-earth/187360-miss-earth-2017-karen-ibasco-qna-question-and-answer|title=READ: Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco's full Q&A|work=Rappler|date=November 4, 2017 |access-date=November 5, 2017}}

I believe that the real problem in this world is not climate change. The real problem is us because of our ignorance and apathy. What we have to do is to start changing our ways, to start recalibrating our minds and redirecting our steps because together, as a global community, our micro-efforts will have a macro-effect to help save our home, our planet.

Ibasco was personally congratulated by former Philippine president and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada when she paid a courtesy call on Estrada at the latter's office in Manila City Hall.{{Cite web|url=http://metromanila.politics.com.ph/2017/11/06/look-erap-meets-miss-earth-2017-karen-ibasco/|title=Erap meets Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco|date=November 6, 2017|website=Metro Manila Politics}} She was also congratulated by former Manila City Mayor and Buhay Party-List, Lito Atienza for giving pride and honor to the City of Manila in winning Miss Earth 2017.{{Cite news|url=http://metromanila.politics.com.ph/2017/11/05/lito-atienza-reveres-miss-earth-2017-karen-ibasco-mabuhay-ka-batang-leveriza/|title=Lito Atienza reveres Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco: Mabuhay ka Batang Leveriza!|date=November 5, 2015|work=Metro Manila Politics|access-date=December 4, 2017}}

Accolades and commendations

=Senate of the Philippines=

The 17th Congress of the Senate of the Philippines through the Philippine Senate Resolution Number 539 authored by Philippine Senator Sonny Angara commended Ibasco on November 7, 2017, for being crowned as Miss Earth 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2688723097!.pdf|title=Senate Resolutions Commending Ibasco for being crowned as Miss Earth 2017|last=Angara|first=Sonny|date=November 7, 2017|work=Senate of the Philippines|access-date=April 9, 2019}} In a separate Senate, Resolution Number 544 was filed on November 20, 2017, to recognize and commend Ibasco for honoring the Philippines in winning the Miss Earth 2017 pageant was authored by Senator Joel Villanueva.{{cite news|last1=Villanueva|first1=Joel|title= A resolution commending and conferring the Congressional Medal of Distinction to Miss Karen Santos Ibasco|url=https://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2689523104!.pdf|access-date=April 8, 2019|publisher=Senate of the Philippines|date=November 20, 2017}} The Resolution indicated that "the Filipina beauty queen’s positive and strong determination to fulfill her dream of winning the title is indeed a positive example and great inspiration to her countrymen, particularly the youth, that no dream is impossible as long as she puts her heart and mind to it; Resolve by the Senate, that the Senate of the Philippines recognizes and commends Karen Ibasco on her victory at the Miss Earth 2017, and extends its warmest gratitude for bringing pride and glory to all Filipino citizens."

=House of Representatives of the Philippines=

The Lower House of the seventeenth Philippines Congress, House of Representatives of the Philippines also had two separate House Resolutions commending and conferring the "Congressional Medal of Distinction" to Ibasco for her victory in the Miss Earth 2017 pageant through the House Resolution Number 1438 authored by Congressman Eric L. Olivarez on November 6, 2017{{cite news|last1=Olivarez|first1=Eric|title=A Resolution commending and conferring the Congressional Medal of Distinction to Miss Karen Santos Ibasco for being crowned Miss Earth 2017|url=http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HR01438.pdf|access-date=April 9, 2019|publisher=House of Representatives of the Philippines|date=November 6, 2017}} and House Resolution 1465 authored by Congressman Yul Servo on November 21, 2017.{{cite news|last1=Servo|first1=Yul|title=A Resolution extending congratulations to Miss Philippines Karen Ibasco for winning Miss Earth 2017|url=http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HR01465.pdf|access-date=April 8, 2019|publisher=House of Representatives of the Philippines|date=November 21, 2017}} “The House Resolution stated “As the reigning Miss Earth 2017, Ibasco will serve as the ambassador to environmental protection campaigns worldwide, influencing millions of people and creating a huge effect to the preservation of our Mother Earth for future generations. By being crowned Miss Earth, she made the country proud and has shown to the world the true meaning of Filipino beauty, excellence and love for the environment. Her beauty is truly a beauty for a cause.”

= Woman of the Year =

In May 2018, Ibasco was one of the recipients of Philippines The Outstanding Men and Women of the Year awards for her contributions to society and the country, as well as her active pursuit of her environmental advocacies.{{Cite news|url=https://mb.com.ph/2018/05/12/outstanding-2/|title=Outstanding!|date=May 12, 2018|work=Manila Bulletin|access-date=April 8, 2019}}{{Cite web|title=Third Outstanding Men and Women of the Year awards revealed|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/10/23/public-square/third-outstanding-men-and-women-of-the-year-awards-revealed/650177/|access-date=2020-12-05|website=The Manila Times|date=October 23, 2019 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=2018 Outstanding Men & Women of the Year Philippines|url=https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/the-philippine-star/20180511/282561608811598|access-date=2020-12-05|date=2018-05-18|via=PressReader}} The event was held at the Teatrino Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila where she also won the Face of the Year special award.

=Toast award=

The University of Santo Tomas College of Science Alumni Association recognized Ibasco as a notable graduate in the Thomasian Outstanding Alumni Scientists Tribute Awards on March 2, 2019, for her environmental advocacies and in recognition of her significant and exemplary contribution to the science community and the nation.{{Cite news|url=https://varsitarian.net/news/20190305/ust-science-alumni-association-honors-thomasian-scientists-doctors|title=UST science alumni association honors Thomasian scientists, doctors|date=March 5, 2019|work=The Varsitarian|access-date=April 8, 2019}}

Media and environmental activism

In August 2017, Ibasco was invited in the Senate of the Philippines and voiced her support for the fuel excise tax provision at one of the hearings conducted by the Senate ways and means committee on the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN).{{Cite news|url=http://northboundasia.com/2017/08/12/tax-reform-acceleration-inclusion-bills/|title=Tax reform for acceleration and inclusion bills|last=Dalan|first=Avito|date=August 12, 2017|work=Northbound Philippines News Online|access-date=January 24, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.dof.gov.ph/index.php/miss-earth-philippines-backs-fuel-tax-hike/|title=Miss Earth Philippines backs fuel tax hike|date=August 24, 2017|work=Philippine Department of Finance|access-date=November 24, 2017}} She indicated in the hearing that "as a signatory to the Paris climate change treaty that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Philippine is committed within a specific timeframe to cut its carbon emissions, which can be done partly by approving the fuel excise tax provision under TRAIN."

Ibasco went to Cambodia in November 2017 and took part with the environmental and social activities such as school tours, tree planting and visited historical landmarks Angkor Wat and Siem Reap.{{Cite news|url=http://www.khmertimeskh.com/91543/|title=Miss Earth winners overwhelmed by NagaWorld's hospitality|date=November 21, 2017|work=Media of Cambodia, Khmer Times|access-date=November 27, 2017}}

She joined a climate change conference on December 7, 2017, where she delivered a welcome message at the first Kasugbong Kalibutan International Climate Change Conference in Catbalogan, Samar.{{Cite news|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/life/12/07/17/miss-earth-2017-karen-ibasco-joins-climate-change-conference|title=Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco joins climate change conference|author-link=ABS-CBN Corporation|date=December 8, 2017|work=ABS-CBN News}}{{Cite news|url=http://kickerdaily.com/posts/2017/12/miss-earth-2017-karen-ibasco-attend-climate-change-conference/|title=Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco attends climate change conference|last=Rovelo|first=Sierra|date=December 7, 2017|work=Kicker Daily News}}

She traveled to Vietnam in January 2018 to grace a fashion event together with Miss Earth Vietnam 2010 Lưu Thị Diễm Hương and supermodel Võ Hoàng Yến which was organized by fashion designer, Tuyet Le.{{Cite news|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fdantri.com.vn%2Fsao-viet%2Fhoa-hau-trai-dat-2017-karen-ibasco-bat-ngo-xuat-hien-o-ha-noi-20180131222047415.htm&edit-text=|title=Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco suddenly appeared in Hanoi (Hoa hậu Trái đất 2017 Karen Ibasco bất ngờ xuất hiện ở Hà Nội)|last=Long|first=Ha Tung|date=January 31, 2018|access-date=May 7, 2018}} She was also the guest of honor in the opening of Shira Clinic and Spa in Hanoi.{{Cite news|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=vi&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fngoisao.net%2Ftin-tuc%2Flam-dep%2Fhoa-hau-trai-dat-2017-chia-se-ly-do-den-viet-nam-lam-dep-3708477.html|title=Miss Earth 2017 shared the reason for Vietnam beauty (Hoa hậu Trái đất 2017 chia sẻ lý do đến Việt Nam làm đẹp)|date=February 6, 2018|work=Ngoisao|access-date=May 6, 2018}}

During her reign, she collaborated in the Philippines with the Conservation for Ocean Resources and Aquatic Life (CORAL), a non-governmental organization to plant corals in the oceans, worked with Plastic Solutions to reduce the consumption of plastic, conducted school tours to educate children about the environment and promoted the use of solar power.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/specials/miss-earth/philippines/201917-karen-ibasco-triumphs-criticisms|title=Miss Earth PH 2017 Karen Ibasco looks back on her reign before she passes the crown|last=Villano|first=Alexa|date=May 19, 2018|work=Rappler|access-date=August 6, 2018}}

In June 2018, she went to Mexico to attend social and environmental activities of the Miss Earth Mexico pageant.{{Cite news|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.xeu.com.mx%2Fnota.cfm%3Fid%3D970336|title=Melissa Flores de Michoacán es la nueva Miss Earth México 2018|date=June 3, 2018|work=Colima Noticias|access-date=June 4, 2018}} She was accompanied by Miss Water 2017, Juliana Franco of Colombia.{{Cite news|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.xeu.com.mx%2Fnota.cfm%3Fid%3D970543|title=Meet the representative of Veracruz in Miss Earth Mexico 2018|last=Navarro|first=Carmen|date=June 3, 2018|work=Xeu News|access-date=June 4, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.xeu.com.mx%2Fnota.cfm%3Fid%3D969340&edit-text=|title=Environmental activities of Miss Earth Mexico in Colima continue|last=Morales|first=Paco|date=May 26, 2018|work=Xeu News|access-date=June 4, 2018}} Ibasco proceeded to Reunion Islands together with Miss Earth Fire 2018 Lada Akimova of Russia and served as a guest speakers at the very first Environmental Conference in Réunion Island and visited the city of Saint-Pierre to raise ecological awareness through school tours where they educated children on the daily actions in favor of the environment, spearheaded the planting of more than 1000 trees in the Saint-Pierre territory with the introduction of various endemic species.{{Cite news|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.ipreunion.com/actualites-reunion/reportage/2018/06/11/sensibilisation-a-l-ecologie-miss-earth-a-l-ecole-pablo-picasso-ravine-des-cabris,83603.html&prev=search|title=Miss Earth à l'école Pablo Picasso|date=June 11, 2018|work=Imaz Press Réunion|access-date=August 6, 2018}}

In July 2018, she led the tree planting activity in Balasan, Iloilo called "One Thousand Trees for the Future, A Tree Planting Activity" in coordination with The Open Arms for Children, Inc and the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources.{{Cite news|url=https://thedailyguardian.net/community-news/1000-trees-for-the-future/|title=1,000 Trees for the Future|last=Angelo|first=Allan|date=July 26, 2018|work=The Daily Guardian|access-date=August 6, 2018}} She also participated in the opening of the two-day Bataan Environment Summit 2018, which tackled Bataan's environmental conservation and protection achievements.{{Cite news|url=http://manilastandardtoday.com/lgu/luzon/270078/denr-bataan-reports-state-of-environment-.html|title=DENR Bataan reports 'State of Environment'|last=Gunio|first=Butch|date=July 9, 2018|work=Manila Standard|access-date=August 6, 2018|archive-date=August 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807001547/http://manilastandardtoday.com/lgu/luzon/270078/denr-bataan-reports-state-of-environment-.html|url-status=dead}}

She traveled to Singapore in August 2018 as special guest for the Miss Earth Singapore 2018 pageant in which she crowned Kara Dong at the Grand Ballroom of One Farrer Hotel on August 3, 2018.{{Cite news|url=http://awardgoesto.com/kara-dong-miss-earth-singapore-2018/|title=Kara Dong , Miss Earth Singapore 2018|date=August 4, 2018|work=Award Goes To|access-date=August 12, 2019}} She then proceeded to Bogotá, Colombia to attend the Miss Earth Colombia and crowned Valeria Maria Ayos Bossa as Miss Earth Colombia 2018 on August 26, 2018, and then traveled to Belgium and met with the Philippine ambassador in Brussels and talked about the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Belgium.{{Cite news|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=https://diariodelcauca.com.co/noticias/vida-moderna/valeria-ayos-bossa-gano-como-miss-earth-colombia-2018-asi-fu-452352&prev=search|title=¡Valeria Ayos Bossa ganó como Miss Earth Colombia 2018! Así fue su coronación (Valeria Ayos Bossa won as Miss Earth Colombia 2018! So was his coronation)|date=August 26, 2018|work=Diario Del Cauca|access-date=August 12, 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=https://elextra.co/valeria-ayos-bossa-participara-en-el-concurso-miss-earth-2018/&prev=search|title=Valeria Ayos Bossa participará en el concurso Miss Earth 2018 (Valeria Ayos Bossa will participate in the Miss Earth 2018 contest)|date=April 16, 2018|work=Diario El Extra|access-date=August 12, 2019}}

She appeared in the cover page of an American monthly women's fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar- Vietnam edition in March 2018 and wore the 2018 collection of Vietnamese fashion designer Tuyet Le.{{Cite magazine|last=Do|first=Hải Yến|date=29 March 2018|title=HOA HẬU TRÁI ĐẤT 2017 KAREN SANTOS IBASCO LÀM NÀNG THƠ CHO NTK TUYẾT LÊ|magazine=Harper's Bazaar|url=https://bazaarvietnam.vn/thoi-trang/tin-thoi-trang-new/hoa-hâu-trai-dat-2017-karen-santos-ibasco-lam-nang-thơ-cho-ntk-tuyet-lê/|access-date=13 December 2020}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite news|date=26 April 2018|title=Mãn nhãn với 40 bộ sưu tập của nhà thiết kế Tuyết Lê|url=https://dantri.com.vn/thoi-trang/man-nhan-voi-40-bo-suu-tap-cua-nha-thiet-ke-tuyet-le-20180426095127019.htm|access-date=13 December 2020}}

In addition to her numerous trips around Philippines, during her reign as Miss Earth, Ibasco had traveled to Cambodia, Vietnam, Mexico, Réunion Island, Singapore, Colombia and Belgium.

After winning Miss Earth 2017, she continued with her environmental advocacies and participated in climate change conferences, conducted environmental talks, educated students internationally and joined the American media organization, TEDx as an environmental speaker.{{Cite web|title=TEDxYouth@PSHSMain {{!}} TED|url=https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/35708|access-date=2020-12-13|website=www.ted.com}} She collaborated with the Conservation of Ocean's Resources and Aquatic Life (CORAL) to promote ocean conservation by planting corals in the seabed.{{Cite web|title=Miss Earth PH 2017 Karen Ibasco looks back on her reign before she passes the crown|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/pageants/karen-ibasco-triumphs-criticisms|access-date=2020-12-13|website=Rappler|date=May 19, 2018 |language=en}} She joined another non-governmental organization, Plastic Solutions in 2019 to promote reusable building blocks, ecobricks made from waste plastic bottle packed with used plastics{{Cite web|date=2019-07-01|title=Karen Ibasco and Her Heart for the Environment|url=https://www.workwiseasia.com/karen-ibasco-a-beauty-queen-with-a-heart-for-the-environment/|access-date=2020-12-13|website=Workwise Asia|language=en-US|archive-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416205616/http://www.workwiseasia.com/karen-ibasco-a-beauty-queen-with-a-heart-for-the-environment/|url-status=dead}} and advocated the single-use plastic ban to save oceans.{{Cite web|title=Miss Earth 2017 favors single-use plastic ban to save oceans|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1052201|access-date=2020-12-13|website=www.pna.gov.ph|language=en}} She was also chosen as an ambassador of international non-governmental organization,

World Wide Fund for Nature in 2019 that works in the field of wilderness preservation and the reduction of human impact on the environment.{{Cite web|date=2019-12-02|title=Lucky Chinatown shares sweetness with the environment and community|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/12/02/public-square/lucky-chinatown-shares-sweetness-with-the-environment-and-community/660745/|access-date=2020-12-13|website=The Manila Times|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2020-10-29|title=KC Concepcion joins roster of WWF-PH celebrity ambassadors|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/10/29/20/kc-concepcion-joins-roster-of-wwf-ph-celebrity-ambassadors|access-date=2020-12-13|website=ABS-CBN News|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-07-16|title=Relationship goals: Pia Wurtzbach joins Jeremy Jauncey as WWF ambassador|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/07/16/20/relationship-goals-pia-wurtzbach-joins-jeremy-jauncey-as-wwf-ambassador|access-date=2020-12-13|website=ABS-CBN News|language=en}}

Ibasco was appointed as the Climate Change Commission's Youth Ambassador in the Philippines in 2019 and was sent as one of the representatives of the Philippines in the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit which aims to bring the countries closer to meeting the goals of the Paris agreement which was held at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York City on September 23, 2019.{{Cite web|last=Sabillo|first=Kristine|date=2019-09-23|title=PH sending small team, no Cabinet members, to UN climate summit|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/09/23/19/ph-sending-small-team-no-cabinet-members-to-un-climate-summit|access-date=2020-12-05|website=ABS-CBN News|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Sabillo|first=Kristine|date=2019-09-21|title=UN secretary-general credits youth movement for climate-action momentum|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/22/19/un-secretary-general-credits-youth-movement-for-climate-action-momentum|access-date=2020-12-05|website=ABS-CBN News|language=en}} As a youth ambassador of the Climate Change Commission, she focused on "Gender and Climate Change".{{Cite web|date=2019-10-26|title=Filipina beauty queen witnesses Greta's impassioned speech|url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/349214/filipina-beauty-queen-witnesses-gretas-impassioned-speech/|access-date=2020-12-05|website=Inquirer Lifestyle|language=en-US}}

She served as the muse of Myanmar delegates in the opening ceremony of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games held at the Philippine Arena in the Philippines on November 30, 2019.{{Cite web|date=2019-11-29|title=Pia, Megan lead SEA Games team muses|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/11/29/news/top-stories/pia-megan-lead-sea-games-team-muses/659770/|access-date=2021-01-04|website=The Manila Times|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=PH beauty queens join parade in 2019 SEA Games opening|url=https://cnnphilippines.com/seagames/2019/11/30/2019-sea-games-muses.html|access-date=2021-01-04|website=cnn|date=November 30, 2019|language=en|archive-date=January 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106144539/https://cnnphilippines.com/seagames/2019/11/30/2019-sea-games-muses.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Here are the muses, performers at 2019 SEA Games opening ceremony|url=https://www.pep.ph/news/local/147761/2019-sea-games-muses-performers-a748-20191124|access-date=2021-01-04|website=Philippine Entertainment Portal: PEP.ph|language=en}}

Ibasco was selected to join the virtual United Nations event during the speech of Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres which was held at Columbia University in New York City in December 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-04|title=Karen Ibasco part of virtual audience during UN secretary-general's speech|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/12/04/20/karen-ibasco-part-of-virtual-audience-during-un-secretary-generals-speech|access-date=2020-12-05|website=ABS-CBN News|language=en}}

In December 2020, she was designated as the ambassador for R.E.START Renewable Energy Transition to promote energy conservation and to raise awareness on renewable energy transition.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-07|title=Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco promotes renewable energy transition|url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/12/07/miss-earth-2017-karen-ibasco-promotes-renewable-energy-transition/|access-date=2020-12-13|website=Manila Bulletin|language=en-US}}