Liz Thompson gets big UN environmental award

Well well well, what is it they say?…

“A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.” – Matthew 13:54

Liz girl, De Standpipe Crew is VERY proud of you. Hot on the heels of election defeat in Barbados, our very own Liz Thompson has been named by the United Nations as one of seven “Champions of the Earth” for their efforts to advance sustainable development and combat climate change. She should be collecting her award at an awards ceremony in Singapore on 22 April 2008. Of course, she has always been a champion for many of us.

Well done, Liz! Congratulations!

De Standpipe Crew

http://www.cbc.bb/content/view/13973/10/ 

Former minister receives UN environmental award
Monday, 28 January 2008
The United Nations (UN) Monday named Barbados’ former Minister of Energy and the Environment, Elizabeth Thompson, among seven persons from around the world who will be awarded for their efforts to advance sustainable development and combat climate change.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said Thompson, who was among several Cabinet ministers in the former Barbados Labour Party administration losing their seats in the January 15 general election, would be among those acknowledged as “Champions of the Earth” during an awards ceremony in Singapore on April 22.

Others receiving the award include New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark;  Atiq Rahman, the Executive Director of the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies; Prince Albert II of Monaco; former United States Senator Timothy E. Wirth; Balgis Osman-Elasha, a senior researcher at Sudan’s Higher Council for Environment & Natural and Abdul-Qader Ba-Jammal, the Secretary-General of the Yemen People’s General Congress.

“Today, we face environmental challenges of unprecedented magnitude. More than ever, our planet needs committed leaders and achievers like the 2008 Champions of the Earth who spur real, positive change and fuel innovative solutions to environmental problems,” said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.

“These inspirational individuals demonstrate not only that action and different development paths are possible but also the abundant opportunities arising as a result of a transformation towards a green economy,” he added.

The agency said this year’s winners have all spearheaded exceptional initiatives on issues ranging from protecting the unique biodiversity of Yemen’s islands to piloting climate-proofing strategies in Sudan and boosting conservation in Barbados.

Thompson, who served as Environment Minister for 11 years, described the award as recognition of Barbados’ contribution at the international level and its successes in policy development and implementation.

“This is an illustrious panel of awardees, as are those previously recognised, such as former United States Vice President Al Gore and President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa. To be the first person from the Caribbean to receive the award is a signal honour,” she said.

“It is also my hope that having positioned Barbados to play an important role in Environment at the international level, that the baton will not fall,” the former minister added.

World Environment Day will be marked this year under the theme “Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy,” with New Zealand as host.

CMC