BEATTIE WELCOMES ENVIRONMENTAL CRUSADER TO BRISBANE

The Brisbane-based office of Green Cross Australia had the potential to become the key focus for environmental activity in the Asia-Pacific Region Premier Peter Beattie said today.

“When you consider the impact that climate change could have on many of our low-lying Pacific neighbours, it is clear the region needs some strong and powerful advocates on the international stage,” Mr Beattie said when he officially launched Green Cross Australia’s Brisbane operation today.

“There are few environmental organisations in the world with the status, reputation and clout of Green Cross International.

“Queensland has the potential to become a regional leader in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss, and we can stand at the forefront of research and innovation in sustainable solutions to global problems.

“The Queensland Government contributed $400,000 to establish the Green Cross Australian headquarters here in Brisbane, largely because of the many synergies between the Green Cross objectives and our own.

“Green Cross Australia is committed to building a sustainable, peaceful global community built on fairness and equity, in line with the charter of Green Cross International.

“I made a commitment to former Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev, the head of Green Cross International, when he visited Brisbane for Earth Dialogues Brisbane 2006, that we would bring Green Cross to Australia.”

Green Cross International is a global organisation founded in 1993. It aims to provide unbiased environmental analysis and expertise, information dissemination, education, scientific studies and social and medical support.

Mr Beattie said Earth Dialogues at the 2006 Brisbane Festival program had resulted in the integration of Earth Charter into the school curriculum and the establishment of a youth environmental forum to advise government.

“Green Cross has a strong focus on youth and education and that will be very evident as it ramps up its operations here in Queensland,” Mr Beattie said.

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