Global Green USA Honors Industry Leaders in Financial Services, Real Estate and Media for Advancements to Environmental Challenges

Global Green USA Honors Industry Leaders in Financial Services, Real Estate and Media for Advancements to Environmental Challenges

President Mikhail Gorbachev's environmental organization recognizes Citigroup, The Hearst Corporation, Enterprise and The Weather Channel at 6th Annual 'Designing a Sustainable and Secure World' Awards

Academy Award-nominated actress Glenn Close; PBS President and CEO Pat Mitchell emcee evening gala

NEW YORK, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Tonight at the Roosevelt Hotel, Global Green USA, the U.S. arm of President Mikhail Gorbachev's environmental organization, will honor four industry leaders -- Citigroup, The Hearst Corporation, Enterprise and The Weather Channel -- at its 6th Annual "Designing a Sustainable and Secure World" Awards Gala. Academy Award-nominated actress Glenn Close and PBS President and CEO Pat Mitchell will co-emcee the awards, which recognize exceptional leadership in advancing a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future.

"Tonight's honorees exemplify an unwavering commitment to being responsible stewards of the environment and that we all have a mutual responsibility to ensuring a sustainable and secure future for future generations," said Matt Petersen, President and CEO of Global Green USA. "The award recipients deserve to be applauded and celebrated in order to inspire others toward a similar path and to encourage our recipients to shine even brighter in their efforts."

The "Designing a Sustainable and Secure World" Awards are an important part of Global Green's efforts to encourage collaborative approaches and crosscutting solutions to environmental challenges. The honorees each have demonstrated a pioneering approach to environmental responsibility, and innovative leadership in their respective fields. Past award recipients include Bill and Judith Davidson Moyers, Senators Sam Nunn and Richard Lugar, John W. Rowe, Chairman and CEO of Aetna, Inc, Giorgio Armani, and Roland Emmerich and his movie, "The Day After Tomorrow."

Tonight, Global Green will present awards to the following organizations:

* Citigroup will receive the "Corporate Design Award" for its corporate
environmental leadership as demonstrated by its being a founding member
and among the first signatories to the Equator Principles, a global
framework to manage social and environmental issues related to financing
development projects. Citigroup also has implemented its own set of
rigorous environmental and social risk management policies. Pamela P.
Flaherty, Senior Vice President of Global Community Relations, will
accept on behalf of Citigroup.

* Enterprise will be honored with the "Organizational Design Award" for
Green Communities(TM), a five-year, $555 million initiative that will
build more than 8,500 environmentally healthy homes for low-income
families. It provides grants, financing, tax-credit equity and
technical assistance to developers who meet Green Communities criteria
for affordable housing that promotes health, conserves energy and
natural resources, and provides easy access to jobs, schools, and
services. Chairman and CEO Bart Harvey will accept on behalf of
Enterprise.

* The Hearst Corporation will be awarded the "Green Building Design Award"
for its new Hearst Tower, which is expected to be the first office
building in New York City to earn a Gold Rating under the Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the U.S. Green Building
Council. The Council is recognized as the nation's leading authority on
environmentally sensitive design and construction. Benefits of the new
Tower include significant reductions in pollution and increased
conservation of the City's vital resources, such as water and
electricity, and a healthier and more productive work environment for
Hearst employees and visitors. President and CEO Victor F. Ganzi will
accept on behalf of Hearst.

* The Weather Channel will receive the "Media Design Award" for raising
awareness about climate change through its program and Web space,
"Forecast Earth." The series of half-hour original programs, hosted by
Dr. Heidi Cullen, helps educate and inform viewers about the science
behind the weather and the earth's climate. TWC Networks President
Patrick Scott will accept on behalf of The Weather Channel.

A portion of the evening's proceeds will benefit Global Green's response to the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Global Green is offering its green building expertise to leaders of New Orleans and the Gulf Region to help ensure the reconstruction of healthy homes and high performance schools. An honorary task force has been established and includes distinguished members such as Julian Bond, General Wesley Clark, Leonardo DiCaprio and Lee Hamilton. The task force will guide Global Green's Healthy Homes and Smart Neighborhoods Response Team, a group of New Orleans architects, and civic, government and business leaders who are working on the ground in New Orleans to rebuild the city in an environmentally sustainable way.

Global Green USA (www.globalgreen.org), headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Washington D.C. and San Francisco, is the U.S. arm of Green Cross International, founded by Mikhail Gorbachev in 1993. Global Green USA and Green Cross International are combating three of the greatest challenges facing humanity: weapons of mass destruction, lack of clean water, and global warming -- with targeted community projects, smart policy solutions, and public education.

Contacts:
Ruben Aronin
Tel: (310) 581-2700 x111
Cell: 310-612-5663
raronin@globalgreen.org

Millicent Fortunoff
Tel: 212-593-6353
Cell: 917-306-3841
fortunoffm@ruderfinn.com

Source: Global Green USA

CONTACT: Ruben Aronin, +1-310-581-2700, x111, Cell: +1-310-612-5663,
raronin@globalgreen.org; Millicent Fortunoff, +1-212-593-6353, Cell:
+1-917-306-3841, fortunoffm@ruderfinn.com, both for Global Green USA

Web site: http://www.globalgreen.org/

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