Australia’s famed Great Barrier Reef was recently nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award in the United Nations Environment Programme’s highly regarded Champions of the Earth environmental awards.
The nomination was announced today, 22nd April, on the occasion of Earth Day by Reef Guardian Council chairperson Jeff Baines.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Reef Guardian Councils collaborated with the communities of the Great Barrier Reef including Traditional Owners, marine biologists, the tourism industry, and Reef Guardian Schools to nominate the World Heritage Area as the first non-human recipient of the award.
According to Baines, the Great Barrier Reef inspired greatness and had a profound impact on both the environment and on the people who visit it.
As he puts it: “The Great Barrier Reef is hands-down the best candidate for a Lifetime Achievement Award. A catalyst for environmental initiatives, the Great Barrier Reef supports First Nations communities, protects marine life and teaches future generations. We are using the voices of the communities of the Great Barrier Reef to persuade the United Nations Environment Programme to crown the Great Barrier Reef as the first non-human recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of almost 10,000 years of positive environmental impact.”
Listed among giants
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to living individuals whose work in environmental conservation and protection spans decades, and previous recipients of the award include the iconic Sir David Attenborough.
According to UNESCO, only living individuals can win and an individual is defined as a distinct entity.
Based on that definition, the Great Barrier Reef stands out as a globally outstanding and significant entity which certainly meets the entry requirements.
Getting the world involved
It should be noted that the nomination is part of The Lifetime of Greatness Project which Tourism Tropical North Queensland also launched today with a worldwide initiative to encourage the global community to get involved.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said: “The tourism industry has thrown its weight behind this nomination because we see the impact the Great Barrier Reef has on individuals every day. It really is life changing for many people who visit and finally understand how important this World Heritage area is for biodiversity, Indigenous culture and jobs.”
Olsen added that the people who live alongside and work on the Great Barrier Reef are encouraging people the world over to show their support by visiting the initiative’s official website and by sharing Great Barrier Reef social content to encourage others to join in.
