Decked in black trench coats, skin-tight pants, and black shades, the Matrix protagonists arrived at COP15 today with a message for the US, Japan, and Germany – “Take the Green Pill”. The image spoof was featured in a full-page ad in the Financial Times today with the message: “Obama, Hatayama, and Merkel: Take the Green Pill. Fund the Fight to Save the World.” The ad goes on to call for $200 billion/year by 2020 to free developing countries from the fossil fuel machine that has enslaved the developed world.
The three Matrix characters and Avaaz activists delivered over 450 copies directly to delegates walking into the first major plenary of these negotiations. In total, 2500 copies are being disseminated around the Bella Center. The US, Japan, and Germany are key countries that have yet to come out in support of bold long-term finance for climate adaptation and technology transfer.
At 9:45 this morning Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity spoke to media and delegates about the clear choice for these three leaders – fund the future by taking the green pill, or risk a collapse of these negotiations as developing countries and civil society stand up for what climate science demands.
According to Trinity, déjà vu represents a glitch in the Matrix. It happens when the powers that be change something. I experienced déjà vu several times before Copenhagen reading the news about “climate gate”. At a critical moment for global warming policy, Big Oil is funding efforts to attack the efforts of mainstream climate scientists and confuse the public into thinking the science of climate change is in question and now is not the time to act. We’ve seen this story. There could not be a more important moment to transcend politics as usual with real leadership.
December 14, 2009
For immediate release
OBAMA, HATOYAMA, MERKEL:
Take the green pill. Fund the fight to save the Future
Press ads target heads of state at UN climate talks
Photo opportunities: Avaaz activists dressed as characters from the film The Matrix distribute papers with published adverts to delegates
WHEN: Monday, December 14; 3pm (USA)
WHERE: Bella Center, in the walk way between the exhibition hall and the main hall (across from document distribution center)
Advert artwork: Links below
Climate campaign adverts launched today depict President Obama, Prime Minister Hatoyama and Chancellor Merkel — due in Copenhagen this week for UN climate talks — as characters from science fiction-adventure film, The Matrix.
The press ads, produced by global campaign network Avaaz.org and funded by thousands of small online donations from individuals around the world, call on the three heads of state to use their powers to achieve a planet-saving climate deal.
“It is time for Obama, Merkel, and Hatoyama to face their responsibilities,” said Ricken Patel, executive director of Avaaz.org. “They have the power to redefine the reality of the climate talks by offering long-term climate financing.”
Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland who is at the talks, added: “Copenhagen must deliver not just deep emissions reductions, but at least $200bn a year in new money to help the poorest countries tackle climate change.” Policy experts confirm the need for large-scale, long-term funding.
“The US, Japan, and the EU can break the current Copenhagen deadlock by putting money on the table. Climate finance could be exactly what the doctor ordered to free humanity from fossil fuel dependence,” said Patel.
“Real money is a green pill that can open a new, climate-safe world,” he added, referring to a choice the lead film character must make between two coloured pills representing contrasting futures.
The adverts appear in a special climate supplement of the Financial Times as a front quarter page and full back page. The paper is being distributed to delegates at the UN climate talks this week by activists dressed in distinctive long coats, black leather and dark glasses of The Matrix heroes Trinity, Neo and Morpheus.
In a recent Avaaz member poll, 94% voted for the campaign group to make climate change its top priority. Many have given money to support the campaign effort in Copenhagen.
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The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-adventure film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski and starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss.
Avaaz.org is a global campaign network of 3.6 million citizens who take action for a more just and peaceful world. Avaaz means ‘voice’ in many languages. www.avaaz.org
To download advert artwork:
Front quarter page (b&w):
http://downloads.cedc.org/avaaz/0912avaaz-climatrix-quarterpage-bw-v2.pdf
Full page (colour):
Ha! Great action guys, I love it!
oh hell yes