Just after the Opening Ceremony, the UNEP announced that China’s Yao Ming will be its first Environmental Champion.

In the press conference, Yao had this to say about his new role:

“As a sportsman, I believe sport has a major role to play in promoting environmental issues,” Yao said in a statement. “I will work with young people across the world and try to inspire them to plant trees, use energy-efficient light bulbs, harvest rain water and become environmental champions in their own communities.

With previous campaigns against shark fin soup and the protection of exotic speacies, it is clear that Yao ming looks to stick with the environment as his issue, and personally I think that will only add further to his cause to protect the environment.