(Eleuthera, Bahamas) – Jack Johnson took part in a designation ceremony on Friday June 5th, to become a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The designation was timely, as June 5th marks World Environment Day, a UN flagship event encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment, celebrated in over 100 countries. UNEP Goodwill Ambassadors help generate public awareness and understanding of environmental causes, as well as inspire broad, positive, committed action in support of UNEP’s priorities.
“Becoming a UNEP Goodwill Ambassador is an honor for me,” said Johnson, speaking of his new role. “In Hawai`i when we work together we say Laulima, which means “many hands.” It is always impressive to see what can be accomplished when you build the right team and get all those hands working together. I see this relationship with UNEP as a way to reach and inspire more people to be active in their local communities, as well as a way for me to learn more about environmental issues around the world.”
The designation ceremony took place on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas, in association with Johnson’s activities to raise awareness about plastic free solutions for plastic ocean pollution in the ocean. Johnson joined the 5 Gyres SEA Change research expedition, promoting alternatives to single-use disposable plastics, which are designed to be used for minutes but persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Johnson is also supporting the 5 Gyres Sea Change Youth Summit, bringing more than 75 local Bahamian, US and International students together at The Island School, to develop community action projects and raise awareness about local plastic free solutions to plastic pollution.
UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNEP, Achim Steiner, said,“Jack Johnson is an inspirational artist and committed environmentalist. His millions of fans around the world form part of a unique network that engages with environmental non-profits at each of his tour stops; encouraging communities to work together to address environmental issues from promoting the consumption of sustainable local food to plastic free initiatives. His efforts to green the music industry are unprecedented, including promoting the use of sustainable biodiesel while on tour.”
Immediately following the designation ceremony, and in celebration of World Environment Day, Johnson joined students from the Youth Summit to remove plastics and marine debris from a local beach. The plastic trash collected on the beach, will then be transformed into recycled artwork by the students.
This year’s World Environment Day theme, 7 Billion People. 1 Planet. Consume with Care, promotes sustainable consumption of resources, and challenges people around the world to share their dreams and pledges for a more sustainable planet atwww.unep.org/wed. Through his All At Once social action network, Johnson encouraged his fans to celebrate World Environment Day, and has personally pledged to reduce his use of single-use plastics and to support businesses leading innovation in product design to reduce their plastic footprint.
As one of his first actions as Goodwill Ambassador with UNEP, Johnson shared his vision for a more sustainable future…“My dream is of a pure ocean that continues to support life on this beautiful earth.
In my dream waves carry energy, not marine debris, and high tide lines are filled with shells, not plastic.”
