7 Green Global Heroes To Be Honoured

17 Feb 2007 (TODAY)

Nazry Bahrawi
nazry@mediacorp.com.sg

Seven champions of the green movement, including well-known personalities
such as former United States Vice-President Al Gore and Jordan's Prince El
Hassan bin Talal, will be recognised for their work at an international
event to be held in Singapore on Monday.

The Champions of the Earth 2007 award, given out by the United Nations
(UN), recognises the contributions of influential leaders towards
improving the state of the environment, notably by encouraging world
leaders to implement policy changes in their respective countries.

The winners will be honoured at the event, which will be held at
Shangri-La Hotel and hosted by the UN's Environment Programme (UNEP),
Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Singapore Tourism
Board (STB).

Mr Achim Steiner, UNEP's director, described the winners as "role models"
who inspire change.

Mr Gore, who played a key role in negotiating and drafting the Kyoto
Protocol aimed at cutting emissions of greenhouse gases while he was in
politics, is still active in promoting environmental causes.

His film on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth, is a contender for best
documentary at the upcoming 79th Academy Awards and has announced plans
to launch a rock concert to raise funds and awareness on global warning.

A special prize will also be given out to the International Olympic
Committee President Jacques Rogge and his team for introducing strict
environmental requirements for cities bidding to host Olympic Games.

Last year, Singapore's Ambassador-At-Large Professor Tommy Koh was
honoured for his contributions to environmental awards and sustainable
development.