Greg Norman: Sporting legend says golf, indigenous Australians can help solve climate change

Golf superstar Greg Norman has issued a stern warning to climate change deniers and called on countries to act on the crisis before it’s too late.

Exclusive: Golf legend Greg Norman has condemned climate change deniers and called on every country – including Australia – to do more to save the environment.

In an emotional plea for change, Florida-based Norman also urged international leaders to embrace the knowledge of indigenous Australians who have managed to live in harmony with the land for thousands of years.

“Every country in the world, their population is growing. So let’s manage this and make sure 150 years from now our relatives and our kids, kids – and their kids – inherit a world we have looked after,” Norman told News Corp Australia.

“I think every country should do better … not just Australia. The fires last year in Australia … the fires in California … we have to listen to the Aboriginal elders,” he said.

Greg Norman says Australia needs to do more to tackle climate change. Picture: Manuela Davies/Getty Images

“For thousands and thousands of years, they have managed the Australian outback and survived all this time. Yet nobody picks their brain … nobody talks to them about it … maybe they do, but not enough and are we listening?”

The former world No. 1 golfer and leading golf course designer is passionate about the environment, having long advocated for conservation causes.

Last year, the 66-year-old delivered a expansive statement on his official Twitter account, telling followers he felt compelled to speak out after watching the heartache endured by victims of the unprecedented bushfire destruction in his birth country.

Greg Norman in action during the Pro-Am at Royal Sydney in 1994.

“I apologise for the length of this post and commentary from afar but seeing these images of death and destruction, the strength of the human spirit, the pure heartache and tragedy the people of Australia have endured cuts to my core and to be brutally honest exposes the stupidity of mankind,” Norman posted at the time.

“I am no expert, but I am a global observer. Of course, there is climate change taking place. It is happening worldwide. Australia is just one example.”

In a recent interview Norman, currently appearing on Channel 7’s Holey Moley reality game show, again stressed golf courses can serve as mini nature reserves.

Australian Golf Industry Council chair Gavin Kirkman said golf had a vital role to play in conservation, including preserving open space and vegetation, promoting indigenous flora and fauna, and acting as wildlife sanctuaries.

Norman during the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Koloa, Hawaii in 1994.

Norman added that looking after the environment is “something I take seriously in my business and we are very, very meticulous and proud of that work that we do.”

“I used to be the head of the Environmental Institute for Golf. I was very engaged in basically writing a Bible on golf courses and what golf course designers and builders should do … everything from water usage to land use,” he said.

“You want to make the golf course look like its been there for 20 years instead of looking like it’s been slashed and burned.”

The course architect and businessman has designed and built more than 100 golf courses in 34 countries, since retiring from the pro ranks in 2008.

The Aussie, dubbed the Great White Shark for his aggressive playing style, won two majors during his stellar golf career, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001.

Originally published as Greg Norman: Sporting legend says golf, indigenous Australians can help solve climate change