We do like costumes - stormtroopers, giant mackerel, chickens (remember them?), and now polar bears, but why? Well, I can't deny that dressing up is fun, and though our campaigns are serious, having fun is important, nay essential. But, more than that, it's engaging and we do want to get people engaged in what we do - our own volunteers of course, but also new ones, members of the public, the media, anyone really - and it can help defuse the occasional sticky situation with security people and the like. How angry can you really get with a hippy in a bear suit? Especially when the polar bear then starts limbo-dancing...
So, why the bear and why now? Well, you may have seen the Save the Arctic campaign (stopping Shell, Gazprom etc drilling for oil and trying to protect the area from exploitation like the Antarctic), and the polar bear's clearly relevant to that. However, there's more going on - look out for 'I love Arctic' events all over the country (like this one in Southampton) on or around April 20th. Also, don't be surprised if one of us (possibly with, yup, the bear) asks you for a photo with an Arctic-loving speech bubble - plus we are fundraising to get a new survival pod (the others were confiscated...) for campaigning in harsh locations (like Arctic, especially when attached to an anchor-chain or oil-rig) - have a look here for more about what it's like in one. The fundraising 'Project Pod' page is here if you fancy adding to the pot of cash (pleeeeeze) - and you are most welcome to come along to any of the Arctic, pod, polar bear etc events happening, well, whenever - details always available on our page...
Comments