Canadian government tries to make energy conservation hip

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SUMMARY

The Canadian government's energy conservation campaign, branded as "FLICK OFF," aims to promote energy-saving behaviors among citizens. Environment Minister John Baird announced a plan requiring industries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18% within three years, although Canada will meet Kyoto Protocol targets eight years late, between 2020 and 2025. Critics argue that the campaign, initiated by Richard Branson, lacks authenticity and fails to resonate with youth, questioning its effectiveness in changing public attitudes towards energy conservation. The campaign's humorous branding has sparked mixed reactions, highlighting the challenges of engaging the public in environmental issues.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Kyoto Protocol and its implications for greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Familiarity with Canadian environmental policy and government initiatives.
  • Knowledge of marketing strategies in public campaigns.
  • Awareness of the role of public figures in promoting environmental issues.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effectiveness of humor in environmental marketing campaigns.
  • Explore the impact of government policies on greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.
  • Investigate Richard Branson's marketing strategies and their influence on public perception.
  • Learn about alternative energy technologies that can complement conservation efforts.
USEFUL FOR

Environmental activists, marketing professionals, policymakers, and anyone interested in the intersection of public engagement and energy conservation initiatives.

moe darklight
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Canadian government tries to make energy conservation "hip"

http://www.flickoff.org/

get it?? FLICK OFF! as in flick off the lights and save energy!
but omg! it looks just like F**K OFF... NOT! I'm so amused!...

TO THE X-TREEEME!
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2007/04/26/flick-off-campaign.html

O HELLZZZ YEA! THAT'S OUR SUPER RAD ENVIRONMENT MINISTER!

to-broten-flick.jpg


more like X-vironmentalism!

now fighting gLobal warming is finally cool! all my friends are throwing their broken bongs in tHe recycling bins from now on for sure!... give me a break :rolleyes: .
 
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:smile: :smile: :smile:

"We only have 10 years to dramatically reduce our emissions or we're screwed."

So FLICK OFF, eh!
 
:smile: Someone should have given a little more thought to that camera angle (or maybe they did, and opted for humor). :smile:
 
I just got this in my email:
Baird unveils emissions plan, says Kyoto goal to be reached 8 years late

The federal government released the specific details of its much-anticipated emissions plan Thursday, requiring most of Canada's industries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 18 per cent in three years.

The new plan means Canada will be at least eight years behind meeting its requirements under the international Kyoto Protocol.

Canada will reach Kyoto's emissions targets only between 2020 and 2025, instead of 2012 as laid out in the international plan to reduce the impact of humans on the planet.

Environment Minister John Baird acknowledged that his government's plan will deliver on Kyoto late, but he said it promises what is realistic.

"This is a real plan, a plan we can reach," he told reporters at a news conference in downtown Toronto Thursday.

"I'm not ready to make promises I can't fulfill."
/\ I guess that's a shot at the Liberal party at the end there...

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/04/26/emissions-targets.html
 
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Moonbear said:
:smile: Someone should have given a little more thought to that camera angle (or maybe they did, and opted for humor). :smile:

my first impression was "this is it, the day has finally come when the government has an official slogan for what's been their message all along: F**K OFF."
 
Not the mention the alternate message of the symbol used for "O."
 
:smile: Nice!
 
"We only have 10 years to dramatically reduce our emissions or we're screwed."

:smile: I thought he was joking when he said that! :smile:
 
:smile: I know, this campaign is just so poorly thought out on so many levels... I wake up to see some government officials on tv in front of a giant F-off banner I thought I was in the twilight zone...

they even have a "go flick yourself" section on the website... ugh, they needs to learn that politicians trying to be "cool" have about as much street cred as a faith-based punk band doing an old navy ad.

http://aycu06.webshots.com/image/13925/2003685903446776645_rs.jpg

... ok I was bored
 
  • #10
moe darklight said:
:smile: I know, this campaign is just so poorly thought out on so many levels... I wake up to see some government officials on tv in front of a giant F-off banner I thought I was in the twilight zone...

they even have a "go flick yourself" section on the website... ugh, they needs to learn that politicians trying to be "cool" have about as much street cred as a faith-based punk band doing an old navy ad.

http://aycu06.webshots.com/image/13925/2003685903446776645_rs.jpg

... ok I was bored

You're expecting a comment from me, aren't you?
 
  • #11
I don't know what to say. The fear mongering almost makes me sick... I mean its a good idea to promote some degree of energy conservation, but this goes a bit over the line. I think that the probability of this campaign having any effect on the way Canada's youth views energy conservation is pretty flicking low, even with the rampant fear mongering.
 
  • #12
correction:

The FLICK campaign was started by British National billionaire and founder of Virgin Records, Virgin Airlines and Virgin Toilet Seat Liners, (edit:Sir)Richard Branson. It isn't a Canadian idea. It is Branson's Hyper-Publicity-Marketing ploy that has a contest to award the most energy conserving town in Canada with a free concert by a big name band (proabably British).

correction:

The announcement by the Conservative Government of Canada concerning raising prices on washing machines, gas (of course) electricity etc... to the tune of 8 billion dollars a year to offset global warming (what a load of complete and utter bs scamming) will put reaching the Kyoto Agreement protocol off by 13 years. No mention of solutions for over-fishing, fish farm infestations of sea lice, clear cuts and land erosion, pine beetle infestation, drinking water contamination by effluent laced with dioxin (fire retardants), anti-biotic soaps, untreated sewage and a rising number of aggresively-marketed anti-depressants such as Prozac.

Get real you damn humans!
 
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  • #13
I didn't know about that... I should have figured someone had to be profiting from such a lame idea.. the liberal party sure isn't.


Chi Meson said:
You're expecting a comment from me, aren't you?

it worked didn't it :smile:

if they can put hendrix and einstein in a pepsi commercial, anything's possible.
 
  • #14
moe darklight said:
I didn't know about that... I should have figured someone had to be profiting from such a lame idea.. the liberal party sure isn't.


yeah, he's telling Canada to get FLICKED and win a big concert in one of its little towns if they can run everything on their own methane, solar panels, dehabilitating flourescent lighting and other "energy savers".

Personally, I'd rather MAKE energy than SAVE it. And we do have the (environmentally friendly) technology to do it.

Branson's FLICKing thing is just like him. He's always using sexist marketing campaigns and he's always got to be photographed with these cheesy girls in plastic suits... everyone smiling. I mean, don't get me wrong, I find women fascinating too, but relentlessly using them as props in every commercial starts to give ol Benny Hill Branson away slightly.
 

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