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Big names join forces to fight global warming

By Li Jing (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-03-26 07:44

Kungfu star Jet Li (right) and former British prime minister Tony Blair smile after their respective non-profit organizations — One Foundation and the Climate Group — sign a strategic cooperation plan on climate change in Beijing yesterday.     [Tian Chi]

 

Kungfu star Jet Li is leading his One Foundation in a new direction - that is, raising public awareness about combating climate change.

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He said he was excited to team up with his old friend Tony Blair, former UK prime minister and one of the founders of the London-based non-profit Climate Group.

The two organizations signed a strategic cooperation plan on climate change in Beijing yesterday and will soon launch a low-carbon city project in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province, the Climate Group said.

"Leaders all over the world are talking about the aims to reduce carbon emissions by 2025," Li said. "But we, (as ordinary people) consuming energy every day, need to change our concepts and take action now."

It is important to pass concern about climate change down to the next generation, Li said. He recalled the frequent blackouts of his childhood, when energy supplies were insufficient in much of China.

After listening to Li's stories, Blair emphasized the role of common people in fighting global warming.

"Efforts at the grassroots level and the power of ordinary people are crucial," he said.