Never Say Never(land): UN Names Tinker Bell Ambassador of Green

The United Nations has named Tinker Bell–a leading citizen of both Disneyland and Neverland–as its “Honorary Ambassador of Green” to help promote environmental awareness among children.

Kermit the Frog once observed in song that “it’s not easy being green,” but he was talking about skin color, not lifestyle. For Tinker Bell, being green isn’t just easy, it’s as natural as flying.

The pint-sized pixie first appeared as a point of light in Peter Pan, the 1904 play by J.M. Barrie. After Walt Disney got the rights to the story, Tinker Bell evolved into a curvaceous fairy with gossamer wings, a pugnacious attitude, and a pocket full of pixie dust that could turn mere humans into aerial acrobats.

Over the years, Tinker Bell has become a favorite of Disney fans everywhere. Besides starring in the animated Disney version of Peter Pan, she also co-hosted the long-running television series, The Wonderful World of Disney, and still appears nightly at both Disneyland and Disney World. Along the way, she also began starring in a series of animated films that teach kids to respect nature and protect the environment.

On Sunday, October 25 [2009], the UN hosted the premier screening of Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, Tink’s latest green-themed movie, as part of its Creative Community Outreach Initiative. In announcing Tinker Bell’s selection as Honorary Ambassador of Green, the United Nations said the screening was intended to promote environmental awareness in the weeks leading up to the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change in mid-December.

“Nine out of every ten natural disasters are climate-related, with rising temperatures and more frequent floods, droughts and storms affecting millions of people’s lives,” according to a United Nations press release. “The United Nations is leading the ‘Seal the Deal’ campaign to garner public support and encourage world leaders to reach an effective climate agreement when they meet in Copenhagen from 7 to 18 December 2009.”