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The United Nations today appointed Red, the leader of the \u201cAngry Birds\u201d mobile game characters, as an envoy to inspire climate action toward a sustainable and happier future for all.<\/p>\nThe United Nations today appointed Red, the leader of the \u201cAngry Birds\u201d mobile game characters, as an envoy to inspire climate action toward a sustainable and happier future for all.<\/p>\n
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Red\u2019s appointment, as Honorary Ambassador for Green, is part of a UN campaign launched today in partnership with the globally renowned characters to make a direct link between tackling climate change and people\u2019s happiness and well-being on the occasion of theInternational Day of Happiness<\/a>\u00a0to be observed on Sunday, 20 March.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe Angry Birds have entertained millions of people around the world \u2013 and now they are part of making the world a better place,\u201d said\u00a0Secretary-General\u00a0Ban Ki-moon at a launch event at UN Headquarters in New York.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe are proud to give Red a reason to go Green,\u201d he said. \u201cThere is no better way to mark the International Day of Happiness than to have our animated ambassador raise awareness about the importance of addressing climate change to create a safer, more sustainable and happier future for all.\u201d<\/p>\n The campaign, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Foundation, asks the general public across the world to make the Angry Birds happy by taking actions on climate change and sharing their photos and commitments on social media platforms using the common hashtag #AngryBirdsHappyPlanet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By recycling, taking public transportation and conserving water, for example, individuals can share tips on how they can live sustainably and happily in their everyday lives, he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As part of his ambassadorial duties, Red will go on a \u201cvirtual world tour\u201d starting on 21 March, highlighting various ways to take climate action. The tour will take him to Paris, where countries adopted an historic agreement to address climate change in December, and will end in New York, where world leaders will sign the\u00a0Paris Agreement<\/a>\u00a0at UN Headquarters on 22 April.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n During the launch event, the voice actors from the upcoming Angry Bird movie, Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, and Maya Rudolph, and producers John Cohen and Catherine Winder gave hundreds of students gathered in the iconic UN General Assembly Hall a sneak preview of the #AngryBirdsHappyPlanet campaign materials, including public service announcements created to support the campaign. They also asked the young audience for their support to the campaign by doing their part to make a difference on climate change.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In a\u00a0message<\/a>\u00a0to mark this year\u2019s Happiness Day, Mr. Ban said that \u201cAt this time of grave injustices, devastating wars, mass displacement, grinding poverty and other man-made causes of suffering,\u201d the Day is a global chance to assert that \u201cpeace, well-being and joy deserve primacy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt is about more than individual contentment; it is an affirmation that we have a collective responsibility to humanity,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By advancing progress towards the interlinked\u00a0Sustainable Development Goals<\/a>\u00a0(SDGs<\/a>), adopted by the UN General Assembly last September, \u201cwe can help spread happiness and secure peace,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe best way to celebrate this International Day of Happiness is by taking action to alleviate suffering,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Since 2013, the UN has annually observed the Day on 20 March as a way to recognize the importance of happiness in the lives of people worldwide. This year\u2019s focus is on the relationship between having a healthy planet and happiness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/archive.womennet.amwp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/angri-birds.jpg\")
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