Disney Fairy, Tinker Bell, Named Honorary Ambassador of Green

She is one of Disney's most popular cartoon characters. Created by J.M. Barrie, the Scottish author best remembered for creating Peter Pan, Tinker Bell the well-loved fairy is reaching new heights with her new designation of "Honorary Ambassador of Green" to help promote environmental awareness in children.

Her new title was announced on Sunday by Kiyo Akasaka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, at the launch of the world premier of Walt Disney's animated film, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, which took place at UN Headquarters.

Among those who attended the event will be Tinker Bell Director Klay Hall, Producer Sean Lurie, and voice cast members Mae Whitman (Tinker Bell) and Raven Symoné (Iridessa).

Protecting the environment is an underlying theme of the Tinker Bell movies. The Walt Disney Company uses its storytelling to inspire a love of nature and spirit of conservation in its audience. Tinker Bell lives in harmony with the environment and her popularity plays a key role in inspiring children.

The blonde-headed fairy who is dressed in green has already played a role in the United States Department of Energy's Public Service Announcement campaign to inspire kids to be more energy conscious and was featured in Daylight Savings programmes in Italy and Australia, to highlight energy conservation.

This premiere event, hosted by DPI under the Creative Community Outreach Initiative is intended to promote environmental awareness in the lead-up to the Copenhagen conference on Climate Change in December. The United Nations is leading the Seal the Deal! campaign to garner public support and encourage world leaders to sign an effective climate agreement when they meet in Copenhagen from 7 - 18 December 2009.

Cartoon characters working on behalf of the environment are not new to the UN system. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has Ozzy Ozone: Defender of our Planet who educates children about the causes and effects of the depletion of the ozone layer. In his latest adventures, Ozzy Ozone goes island hopping to learn about the effects of climate change on small islands and low-coastal states and the need to phase out Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), the gases used to replace ozone depleting substance but which themselves can contribute to climate change.