Thimphu, 2 November 2021- A ferocious, talking dinosaur walks into the United Nations’ headquarters to urge more climate action from global leaders, in a short film launched on 27 October as the centerpiece of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ‘Don’t Choose Extinction’ climate advocacy campaign.

Bursting into the iconic General Assembly Hall, famous for history-making speeches by leaders from around the world, the imposing dinosaur tells an audience of shocked and bewildered diplomats and dignitaries that “it’s time humans stopped making excuses and started making changes” to address the climate crisis.

“At least we had an asteroid,” the dinosaur warns, referring to the popular theory explaining dinosaurs’ extinction 70 million years ago. “What’s your excuse?”

This first-ever film to be made inside the UN General Assembly using computer-generated imagery (CGI) features global celebrities voicing the dinosaur in numerous languages, including actors Eiza González (Spanish), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Danish), and Aïssa Maïga (French).

“The film is fun and engaging, but the issues it speaks to could not be more serious,” said Ulrika Modéer, Head of UNDP’s Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy. “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.”

UNDP’s ‘Don’t Choose Extinction’ campaign and film aim to shine spotlight on fossil fuel subsidies and how they are canceling out significant progress towards ending climate change and are driving inequality by benefitting the rich.

UNDP research released as part of the campaign shows that the world spends an astounding US $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 ‘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.

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.

The latest report of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released in August warns that unless rapid and deep reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions occur in the coming decades, achieving the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement will be beyond reach.

The time for bold, innovative and transformational climate action is now or never. And the ongoing COP26 is the world’s “best chance” to make decisive commitments towards zero-carbon futures.

Bhutan remains critically vulnerable to the impact of climate change despite being a carbon negative.The glacial lake outburst floods remain among the major climate induced threats facing Bhutan. Climate change is also impacting the agriculture sector, affecting the livelihoods of more than half of the country’s 700,000 plus population. Some communities are grappling with water scarcity as climate change causes springs and other sources to dry up, while others are experiencing increased incidences of flashfloods as the country experiences erratic and intense rainfall.

Find out more about the campaign at www.dontchooseextinction.com

For downloadable assets:

Preview materials: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9bxulmyal2jxb83/AACjW9_nqwc344j6Rx-ELG5oa?dl=0

Full assets available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zbq5r4pwdu682t2/AACr4e3mMcZ--Ftnd4nGUa0Xa?dl=0

View the film on YouTube:

English: https://youtu.be/VaTgTiUhEJg

French: https://youtu.be/bTQXiWwH6eY

Spanish: https://youtu.be/7j3kuPLwhXM

Media contact:

Ms. Dechen Wangmo, Communications Analyst, UNDP Bhutan, Mobile: +975 1734 3086, Email: dechen.wangmo@undp.org.