What happens once you sign a petition or take action online? If you’re like me, you’ve signed up for lots of group’s email lists and get newsletters, donation requests and calls to action. But, what happens to my name when I sign a petition? Is it used? Does it help?
Today, we got creative at Greenpeace. We used all YOUR names to create an actual Greenpeace banner. When we started the online petition to President Obama we couldn’t tell you all the details, but we hinted that it would be something big, really BIG! More than 50,000 amazing activists signed our petition urging President Obama to sign a legally binding treaty in Copenhagen to stop a climate catastrophe and unleash a clean energy revolution.
Our graphic designer took all 50,000 names and created a beautiful banner. I can tell you, first hand, that the banner is HUGE! It’s 80×40-feet and weighs about 100 pounds. We thought the eve of President Obama’s departure for Copenhagen would be a great time to unfurl the banner, right across the street from the White House.
It wasn’t easy, but we did it! About two dozen of us bundled up (it actually snowed here over the weekend). We opened up the banner and situated it just perfectly so we could get the message out to President Obama and the rest of the world.
President Obama: LEAD and Save the Climate
Simultaneously, while we were displaying the banner we were also faxing all 50,000 names to the President. He got the message, in more ways that one.
I was also tweeting with one hand, while my other hand was holding the banner. If you’re not signed up for Greenpeace twitter updates what are you waiting for? You can get real-time updates from us and stay in the loop and cool activities as they unfold.
President Obama and many world leaders are heading to Copenhagen for climate talks. They need to do a lot more than talk. They need to sign a legally binding treaty with sharp teeth.
We’ll be watching our world leaders to see if they can achieve a strong, binding treaty on climate change.
Thank you to everyone who signed the petition! Take a look at the banner images and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Our banner will leave a lasting impression on the President as he heads over to Copenhagen.
–Michelle
