Watch video here: https://www.aparat.com/v/EIJcD

Click here to read the Press Release in Farsi

Tehran, 31 October – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is bringing a ferocious, talking dinosaur to the United Nations’ Headquarters to urge concrete climate action from global leaders, in a short video clip as the centerpiece of the agency’s new ‘Don’t Choose Extinction’ campaign, Farsi version of which is launched today and accessible at ir.undp.org.

Bursting into the iconic UN 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 in Farsi by Soheil Mostajabian.

The dinosaur goes on to highlight how financial support for fossil fuels through subsidies is irrational and illogical in the face of a changing climate. “Think of all the other things you could do with that money. Around the world people are living in poverty. Don’t you think that helping them would make more sense than… paying for the demise of your entire species?” the dinosaur says.

“The UN Secretary-General has called the climate crisis a ‘code red for humanity’. With this innovative campaign our main goal is to raise awareness on the critical situation of the globe, the world leaders must step up climate actions to keep the planet safe for generations to come. This can be done in ways that creates new social and economic opportunities” says Claudio Providas, UNDP Resident Representative in the I.R of Iran.

As part of the campaign, UNDP has also released research which 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 campaign and film hope to make more accessible to all the sometimes complex and technical issues relating to fossil fuel subsidies and the climate emergency, through a variety of actions that the public is invited to take part in with the aim of educating people worldwide.

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

Media contact in I.R. of Iran: Communications.ir@undp.org

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UNDP is the leading United Nations development organization. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.

Learn more at www.ir.undp.org or follow at @UNDPIran.