BusinessGreen staff – 27 February 2019
TV presenters, bloggers, influencers, and endurance swimmers named as new champions for year-long drive to raise environmental awareness
The government has this week announced the appointment of a series of new ‘ambassadors’ to support its Year of Green Action and called on business leaders to join the campaign to promote environmental awareness and the simple steps the public can take to enhance the natural world.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove yesterday welcomed the line-up of environmental campaigners, business leaders, and social media influencers, which includes UN Patron of the Oceans and endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh, environmentalist and adventurer David de Rothschild, and TV presenter Jan Leeming.
The new ambassadors have been tasked with supporting and promoting the Year of Green Action, a year-long drive from the government to “connect more people with the environment and raise awareness about the simple steps everyone can take – in their home, garden, workplace or school – to make a difference to the natural world”.
The announcement came ahead of a parliamentary reception for business leaders last night, where Gove called on businesses up and down the country to pledge their support for the Year of Green Action.
“The natural world is our greatest asset and we all have a responsibility and role to play in protecting it for generations to come,” Gove said in a statement. “These new ambassadors have shown tremendous passion in their drive for environmental protection and have been tenacious in their desire to raise awareness, from swimming the length of the English Channel to sailing a recyclable boat made from reclaimed plastic bottles. I am delighted to have them on board to champion the Year of Green Action and inspire change.”
The government hopes the Year of Green Action will help build awareness of and support for its wide-ranging environmental efforts, including its 25 Year Plan for Nature, its promised Environment Bill, and its Clean Growth Strategy.
Defra said the campaign would provide “a focal point for organisations, individuals, communities and businesses to learn more about their environmental impact, take action to reduce it, and spread the word on environmental issues”.
The full list of newly-announced ambassadors includes:
- UN Patron of the Seas Lewis Pugh, an ocean advocate and endurance swimmer;
- Adventurer and environmentalist David de Rothschild, who sailed across the Pacific Ocean in 2009 on a entirely recyclable boat made using 12,500 reclaimed plastic bottles;
- TV presenter, newsreader, and cheetah conservation campaigner, Jan Leeming;
- Ethical lifestyle blogger Besma Whayeb;
- Sian Conway, Green and Eco Influencer of the Year 2018;
- Explorer, entomologist, zoologist and broadcaster George McGavin;
- Professor Tim Jackson, Director of the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity;
- Founder of Earth Changers sustainable travel company, Vicky Smith;
- Blogger and social influencer Izzy McLeod; and
- Lucy Finlay MBE, founder of Social Enterprise Mark CIC.
Pugh welcomed the launch of the new campaign and urged the public to play a role in the Year of Green Action.
“I have been swimming for 32 years and over that period of time, I’ve seen our oceans change completely,” he said. “That’s why I am delighted to support the Year of Green Action and help share the importance of protecting our oceans and tackling plastic pollution. We need urgent action. Our greatest hope is that there are 66 million people in the United Kingdom. Any problem, however colossal, becomes manageable when divided by 66 million. If we all play our part, we can fix this.”
