July 8, 2008
PRESS RELEASE

CAMPAIGNERS BLAST G8 CLIMATE DODGE

"HELLO, KIDDIES" AD KNOCKS HARPER, BUSH, FUKUDA

— 2nd ad in three-day series; print-ready graphics at avaaz.org/ads —

Global advocacy network Avaaz.org responded today to the G8's declaration on climate change:

"This G8 is a wasted opportunity, and it's the work of three irresponsible leaders. Harper sided with Bush and dealt a blow to both the hopes of his own citizens and Canada's tradition of moral leadership in world affairs," said Avaaz Executive Director Ricken Patel. "The G8 was Fukuda's chance for world leadership on climate, and he squandered it. And Bush just walked away from his last chance to redeem a shameful legacy on climate change."

Avaaz.org members in 166 countries sponsored a full-page, full-colour advert today in the Financial Times newspaper shaming Harper, Bush, and Fukuda for their irresponsible stance on 2020 climate targets. The ad, the second in a three-day series featuring imagery drawn from Japanese traditional and pop culture, pasted the faces of the three leaders onto the body of the "Hello Kitty" cartoon character. The headline: "Hello, kiddies. Be a grown-up – set 2020 climate targets now." (For more information, see avaaz.org/ads.)


"The world asked for concrete action on climate change, and the G8 delivered mush," said Ben Wikler, climate campaign director at Avaaz.org. "In the year 2050, Harper will be 91, Bush will be 104 and Fukuda will be 114. Without any mid-term targets, it's hard to take these long-term commitments seriously."

The Financial Times ad included this petition, signed in less than a month by more than 215,000 Avaaz members:
The world can't wait for urgent action on climate change, and it is your responsibility to take the lead. We urge you to set binding targets to cut greenhouse gases by 2020, in line with what scientists say is needed to avert a climate catastrophe. Rich countries must help developing countries adapt and embrace a clean-energy future, and all must do their fair share to reduce emissions in time. Our common humanity demands nothing less.
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW

US/Europe – Ricken Patel, Executive Director, ricken@avaaz.org, +1 646 229 5416
Japan – Ben Wikler, Campaign Director, ben@avaaz.org, +81 (0) 80 1892 4273

ABOUT AVAAZ

Avaaz is a global web movement with over 3.3 million members worldwide, working to ensure that the views and values of people everywhere inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.)

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