Harlem Globetrotters Go Green
August 28, 2009 by admin
Filed under Initiatives
Celebrity basketball team, the Harlem Globetrotters, recently visited Bangkok as part of their 2009 “Spinning the Globe” World Tour. As the Ambassadors of Goodwill™, the Globetrotters are aware of environmental issues and are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
On their stay in Thailand, the Globetrotters met with the local environmental charity, Plant a Tree Today (PATT) Foundation, to look at ways they can reduce their carbon footprint. The work of this foundation aims to address climate change and environmental issues through reforestation.
To kick start the Globetrotters’ mission to reduce their carbon footprint, a number of native Thai trees will be planted on the team’s behalf at one of the PATT Foundation’s reforestation sites in Thailand. The projects that the PATT Foundation undertakes not only help mitigate climate change, but also improve wildlife habitat and provide income, jobs and education for local residents.
PATT Foundation staff member Charisse Gebhart visited Impact Arena before the Harlem Globetrotters’ show. Gebhart, a lifelong Globetrotters fan, met with some of the team to present a certificate recognizing the team’s support of the tree planting. Gebhart said:
I’m pleased to see all levels of society wanting to do their bit to help with our global environmental problems; it is especially great when high profile teams show their support.
Plant a Tree Today (PATT) Foundation works to raise awareness of global environmental issues, campaign for better environmental practices and take action against deforestation and climate change by planting trees. The foundation was founded in 2005 and is a UK Registered Charity and Thailand Foundation. PATT has operational offices in Bangkok, Thailand and Indonesia with representatives in Malaysia, India & South Africa.
PATT was recently recognized in a prestigious UN award (the Seed award) for their innovative project concept that aims to tackle environmental and social problems in the developing world.◊
