UNDP’s ‘Don’t Choose Extinction’ campaign underlines how fossil fuel hampers climate action

31 / 10 / 2021

• news
• Sustainable Development

The ‘Don’t Choose Extinction’ campaign of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is meant to shine a spotlight on fossil fuel subsidies and how they are canceling out significant progress towards ending climate change and are driving inequality by benefiting the rich.

A UNDP research released as part of the campaign shows that the world spends an astounding $423 billion annually to subsidize fossil fuels for consumers – oil, electricity that is generated by the burning of other fossil fuels, gas, and coal.

This could cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations for every person in the world, or pay for three times the annual amount needed to eradicate global extreme poverty.

The campaign hopes to make the sometimes complex and technical issues relating to Fossil Fuel Subsidies and the climate emergency more accessible. Through a variety of actions that the public is invited to take, the aim is to both educate and give voice to people worldwide.

Under the campaign, the ‘Don’t Choose Extinction’ film was created in partnership with Activista Los Angeles (a multiple-award-winning creative agency), David Litt (US President Barack Obama’s speechwriter) and Framestore (the creative studio behind James Bond, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers End Game). Wunderman Thompson built a digital ecosystem for the initiative to empower people around the world to take action while Mindpool produced a collective intelligence engagement tool for the campaign’s platform.

In the  first-ever film to be made inside the UN General Assembly using computer-generated imagery (CGI), the dinosaur goes on to highlight how financial support for fossil fuels through subsidies – taxpayers’ money that helps keep the cost of coal, oil and gas low for consumers – is irrational and illogical in the face of a changing climate.

“The UN Secretary-General has called the climate crisis a ‘code red for humanity.’ We want the film to entertain, but we also want to raise awareness of just how critical the situation is. The world must step up on climate action if we are to succeed in keeping our planet safe for future generations.”

PVBLIC Foundation, an innovative non-profit organization that mobilizes media, data, and technology for sustainable development and social impact around the world, is providing strategic communications and media support. Sustainable accessories brand BOTTLETOP and their #TOGETHERBAND movement are also partnering with UNDP and will be producing exclusive merchandise with Brazilian artist Speto to benefit the campaign.