Ad of the Day: Amazon tribe sends emotional message to western world during Cop26
A powerful short film featuring the Huni Kuin people of Brazil, created by Sage Foundation, is sending a warning to the western world during Cop26: nature is not for sale.
Through the campaign, which is in partnership with One Tree Planted, the non-profit organization aspires to give a voice to the many indigenous tribes that call the Amazon home and have devastatingly witnessed first-hand the effects of climate change on their habitat.
To coincide with the Cop26 conference in Glasgow, Sage Foundation wants to share a message from the Huni Kuin Tribe, who – despite living on the frontline of this crisis – want to offer a glimmer of optimism that it’s not too late to tackle this issue by sharing their mantra of ‘Hope Dies Last.’
In the video, directed by Yassa Khan, viewers witness the devastating changes the rainforest has endured in the past ten years, emotionally told through the experiences of one of the tribe’s leaders. He worries that his family will share the same fate as the 10,000+ animals and plants that have been made extinct in the last decade if we don’t act now. ‘The choice is yours’ marks the stark end of the film.
“The resilience and overwhelming positivity shown by the Huni Kuin provided the inspiration for creating a film that was visceral, and became a visual metaphor for the elements that affect their way of life,” noted Khan.
“Gaining an insight into the devastating challenges that indigenous tribes on the frontline of the climate crisis face is a reminder of why the world needs to act now – and the Huni Kuin’s belief in humanity is proof there is still hope.”
Sage Foundation funds and empowers grassroots movements that elevate women and girls, leading communities toward an environmentally resilient future. This ad is calling on the public to play its part in the regeneration of the Amazon by planting trees with its official partner One Tree Planted.
“It was an honour to meet an extraordinary group of people who are so deeply affected by climate change, yet retain so much hope for our planet and the forest they call home,” said Naza Alakijia, founder of Sage Foundation.
“We chose to partner with One Tree Planted to plant trees in the Amazon because we knew how important it was to give our audience a positive action they could undertake for themselves – especially at a time when many global leaders are speaking empty promises.”
On the campaign, One Tree Planted noted: “Nature can regrow and replenish. But it will need all of us to take action, starting with world leaders and changemakers. Through our film, we urge them to make the right choices this Cop26, and together we vow to take action by planting trees in the Amazon.”
To make their plea heard all around the world, the spot will run throughout November across social media.
You can visit the One Tree Planted site here and for every dollar donated they will plant a tree in the Brazilian Amazon.
Keep up with The Drum’s Cop26 blog here.
