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"Make Angry Birds happy," UN encourages young people to tackle climate change on Int'l Day of Happiness

Xinhua, March 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Red from the Angry Birds as Honorary Ambassador for Green on the International Day of Happiness and encouraged young people to take action on climate change and make the Angry Birds happy.

The United Nations on Friday announced a campaign launched in partnership with the Angry Birds -- the globally renowned mobile game characters -- to make a direct link between tackling climate change and people's happiness and well-being on the occasion of the International Day of Happiness, which falls on March 20.

"The Angry Birds have entertained millions of people around the world - and now they are part of making the world a better place," said Ban, who appointed Red of the Angry Birds as an Honorary Ambassador for Green at a launch event at UN Headquarters in New York.

"We are proud to give Red a reason to go Green. There 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," Ban said.

The campaign, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, the UN Development Programme and UN Foundation, encourages young people to step up their actions to address climate change and ensure a sustainable and happier future for all.

As part of his ambassadorial duties, Red will go on a "virtual world tour" starting on March 21, highlighting various ways to take climate action.

His 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 Paris Agreement at UN Headquarters on April 22.

The International Day of Happiness is an important observance to acknowledge that happiness and well-being are universal goals and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives.

This year it focuses on the relationship between having a healthy planet and our happiness. Enditem