Yao Ming named first UNEP Goodwill Ambassador

(BEIJING, August 9) -- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Achim Steiner named Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming as the first UNEP Goodwill Ambassador on Saturday, August 9, in a press conference at the MPC.

Yao has always believed that sports can help advocate environmental protection, and hopes that the young people of the world will work with him to raise awareness about taking care of plants, using fluorescent light bulbs and conserving water. Yao encourages all athletic event organizers to consider public transportation, energy efficient waste disposal and green natural resources when planning. He believes that every small effort taken now will prevent the paying of a bigger price later on.

Steiner expressed his joy at having Yao take up responsibilities as a UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, saying that the UNEP was very lucky to have someone like Yao contribute to its work. However, he emphasized that global warming, the use of natural resources and climate change had reached a critical stage, and that Yao's involvement would only make up one part of the solution.