{"id":4232,"date":"2021-07-09T14:27:59","date_gmt":"2021-07-09T06:27:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/world.350.org\/philippines\/?p=4232"},"modified":"2021-07-12T14:34:16","modified_gmt":"2021-07-12T06:34:16","slug":"trex-and-pikachu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/philippines\/trex-and-pikachu\/","title":{"rendered":"T-Rex and Pikachu are the Climate Champions We Deserve"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pascale Hunt<\/strong><\/p>\n

We operate in a media landscape which is quick to paint activists and protestors with an unflattering brush; especially when calls to action threaten the status quo or aim to disrupt powerful structures. Climate activists continue to be smeared<\/a> using a variety of defamatory slurs\u2014<\/span>from virtue signallers, to rioters, extremists, even terrorists, and are increasingly the recipients<\/a> of intimidation, coercion and police brutality.<\/p>\n

In this context, creative, nonviolent grassroots action can disrupt dominant discourse using clever symbolism and pop culture references. With this in mind, we want to celebrate the cute and quirky ways in which we change the narrative.<\/p>\n

In recent years 350.org has been engaged in countless climate actions around the world, employing tactics that demand attention and bring about concrete outcomes. One of these has been successfully employing the services and pop-culture clout bestowed by two unlikely climate champions: T-Rex and Pikachu.<\/p>\n


\nPeek the Pikachus<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In June 2019, Japan hosted the G20 Summit where world leaders gathered to discuss global sustainable development. In an effort to underline Japan\u2019s hypocrisy in hosting the summit while continuing to fund fossil fuel projects<\/a> around the world\u2014<\/span>particularly coal-fired power plants\u2014<\/span>activists decided to call on the country\u2019s most popular, wholesome and recognizable export: the electric-type Pokemon companion, Pikachu.<\/p>\n

\"Pikachu

Pikachu Action at the Japan Embassy – AC Dimamatac<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

As 350 Asia\u2019s<\/em> Regional Director Norly Mercado explained<\/a> at the event, \u201cPokemon\u2019s enduring popularity stands as proof of Japan\u2019s capacity for technology, innovation and creativity, which is why we believe the country can evolve into a world leader in climate action and renewable energy\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pokemon became a pop culture phenomena throughout the late 90s and early 2000s, and remains a source of immense affection for millennials around the world. For those generations that came before or after Pokemon\u2019s golden years, the undeniably quirky and eye-catching images the event produced sparked a conversation and opened up an opportunity to explain the metaphor: Pokemon undergo a series of evolutions over the course of their lives – levelling up and getting stronger in the process. Similarly, the climate crisis requires us all to evolve and level-up, refining only the powers that facilitate the success of our species. Pikachu, being an electric-type Pokemon, makes it the perfect embodiment of our need as a collective to evolve into renewable electricity producers.<\/p>\n

\"Pikachu

Pikachu Action at the Japan Embassy – AC Dimatatac<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

350 Pilipinas volunteer Lynne Brasileno explained that<\/a> Pikachu is also the personification of a companion\u2014<\/span>even a champion\u2014<\/span>who you could always count on, and who taught about empathy, friendship and respect for nature, qualities which helped to endear so many young people to him.<\/p>\n