In an unusual move designed to grab world attention, the United Nations has appointed Red, the leader of the “Angry Birds” mobile game characters, as an envoy to inspire climate action toward the goal of a sustainable and happier future for all.
Red’s appointment, as Honorary Ambassador for Green, is part of a UN campaign launched in partnership with the globally renowned characters to make a direct link between tackling climate change and people’s happiness and well-being.
The move coincides with the International Day of Happiness to be marked on Sunday, and comes amid warnings by scientists that ominous manifestations of climate change like frequent natural disasters and rising temperatures pose a growing threat to the future of the planet.
“The Angry Birds have entertained millions of people around the world – and now they are part of making the world a better place,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at a launch event at UN Headquarters in New York.
“We are proud to give Red a reason to go Green,” Ban said according to a UN statement.
Credit : Official UN Video
“There is no better way to mark the International Day of Happiness than to have our animated ambassador raise awareness about the importance of addressing climate change to create a safer, more sustainable and happier future for all.”
The campaign, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, the UN Development Program (UNDP) and UN Foundation, asks the general public across the world to make the Angry Birds happy by taking actions on climate change and sharing their photos and commitments on social media platforms using the common hashtag #AngryBirdsHappyPlanet.
The UN says by recycling, taking public transportation and conserving water, for example, individuals can share tips on how they can live sustainably and happily in their everyday lives.
Red will begin his new ambassadorial assignment with a “virtual world tour” starting on March 21 , highlighting various ways to take climate action. The tour will take him to Paris, where countries adopted an historic agreement to address climate change in December, and will end in New York, where world leaders will sign the Paris Agreement at UN Headquarters on April 22.
At the launch event, voice actors from the upcoming Angry Bird movie, Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, and Maya Rudolph, and producers John Cohen and Catherine Winder gave hundreds of students gathered in the iconic UN General Assembly Hall a sneak preview of the #AngryBirdsHappyPlanet campaign materials, including public service announcements created to support the campaign.
Meanwhile, on Saturday the United Nations dimmed the lights at its Headquarters building in New York and other offices around the world to mark ‘Earth Hour,’ in an annual global event to spotlight issues facing the planet.
The Earth Hour, organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), encourages individuals, companies, organizations and Governments to switch off their lights for one hour at 8:30 p.m., local time worldwide, to focus attention on people-driven solutions to protecting the planet and building a bright, sustainable future, the UN said.
