Saving the environment is a serious business – but you can still have a laugh doing it. That’s the message of UK development agency Christian Aid in launching a couple of hilarious YouTube videos aimed at getting people to take up the eco-challenge with a smile on their faces.
The short animated films, distributed via the ever-popular free video content network, aim to show that you don’t have to be a “mentalist” to be an environmentalist – having a go at stereotypes of green campaigners in sections of the tabloid media, which sometimes portray eco activists as humourless and cranky.
You can view the films here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=99PbDZAc6AY and http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qCBJ3Qclgq8
The specific focus is on the demand for an 80 per cent cut in carbon emissions in the upcoming UK government Climate Change Bill, aimed at tackling the human contribution to global warming.
“What’s great about these cartoons is that they’re unstuffy, to the point and laugh-out-loud funny”, a media observer told Ekklesia. “If only more church-related communication could be like this.”
Christian Aid is an international agency supported by some 40 British and Irish national churches. But it works against poverty and for environmental sustainability in a fully inclusive way. Its partners around the world include NGOs and local organisations from all religious traditions and none.
It emphasises that it works against injustice without regard to creed, deriving this stance from the precepts of the Gospel as well as principles of partnership and good practice in development.
The relief, development and advocacy agency is also known for the high quality of its research and media spotlighting.
You can also buy Christian Aid gifts and support present aid online.