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Step aside, Bono - Hail Comrade Yao!

By melvin

Amid all the other exciting news from Beijing, and while our president disgraces himself and the nation, a hero takes on another challenge. Yao Ming has accepted an invitation from the United Nations Environment Program to become its first Environmental Champion. This is most welcome news.

Statement from Yao Ming:

I am delighted and greatly honored to accept the UN Environment Programme's offer to become their first ever 'Environmental Champion'.

In my role as 'Environmental Champion', I will work with governments, the private sector and the public to promote good and effective management of our environment so we can preserve the planet for future generations.

As a sportsman, I believe sport has a major role to play in promoting environmental issues so I will work with young people across the world and try to inspire them to plant trees, use energy efficient light bulbs, harvest rain water and to become environmental champions in their own communities.

As the world celebrates the Beijing Olympic Games, I would also like to call upon the organizers of all major sports events in the world to make sure they use public transport facilities, build proper waste management systems and use greener forms of energy.

I sincerely believe small actions done by many over a long period of time can really bring about positive change.

By doing a little now we can avoid doing a lot later.

Please join me in this global team effort.

Yao has long been associated with WildAid and its campaign to end the illegal wildlife trade. Famously, in 2006, he publicly swore off shark fin soup and encouraged everyone to do the same.

Currently, he is featured at the top of WildAid's front page, which promises more messages from him soon.

Full post as published by Never In Our Names on August 11, 2008 (boomark / email).