Posted on 03/21/2015 7:25:59 AM PDT by crusty old prospector
UNITED NATIONS -- About 1,200 middle school children trudged through the latest snow storm to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday evening to hear hip hop singer and producer Pharrell Williams talk about climate change.
The U.N. sponsored the event, along the U.N. Foundation and MixRadio, to celebrate International Day of Happiness, established by the world organization in 2012. It transformed a normally conflict-focused, staid venue into a dramatically "happy" environment with a clear message: The next generation needs to pay attention to climate change.
International Day of Happiness "Protecting our planet is fundamental to the pursuit of human happiness," Pharrell said, telling the enthusiastic crowd, "We only have one home and there's climate change... If you don't (take) care of your home, you don't have a life, and we have to transition from climate change to climate action."
The event also served as the launch for the "World's Happiest Playlist" and a #HappySoundsLike Twitter campaign, which includes chair Cody Simpson, Stevie Wonder, Ed Sheeran, David Guetta, Rita Ora, John Legend and James Blunt. Environmentalists Philippe Cousteau and Sylvia Earle were on hand to show videos.
Just an hour before, Pharrell flipped the switch on the Empire State Building, turning the iconic building's lights yellow as part of the International Day of Happiness observance.
"The International Day of Happiness has provided an opportunity to open up a real conversation on how we take positive action to battle the real threat climate change," Robert Skinner, associate director of the U.N. Foundation's New York Office, told CBS News.
A young Brooklynite, Marquis Jamont, was there with his mom to see Pharrell, whom he described as a great person.
"Without Pharrell," Marquis said, "our planet would not survive."
A group of eight- and nine-year-olds from Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Scarsdale, N.Y., had their own messages.
"I'm from Seychelles and it's a small island, and I don't want it get flooded," said Giselle Ondieki.
Penelope Danielle Anastasia Latrique, the daughter ofmember, goes to the Growing Up Green Charter School, which focuses on climate change.
"Pharrell is inspiring; he makes a happy day happy about the climate," she said.
Ahmad Alhendawi, the secretary-general's envoy on youth, told CBS, "What is happening in climate change is affecting young people's lives; this year is very important and the outreach that celebrities have is vital."
Although the plan was to have Pharrell speak and then dance in the General Assembly aisles, as soon as he finished, students went to the front to snap selfies with the new climate change czar and, of course, to change the world.
Those who don't will be sent to one of Hitlery's "Happy Camps".
To do this, he flew in on a private jet from LA, right?
#snarky
It would be more appropriate if Will Ferrell was doing the gig.
And Pharrell’s degree in Climatology is from what University? You know “celebrity” experts will kill the world as we know it.
Freegards
LEX
Mr. Pharell, Mr. Pharell! A question from the back of the re-education camp? How big is your house? How much electricity does it take to heat and cool? How many cars do you have? How many gallons per mile does your jet get?
Innoculate yourself or the worms will eat your brain:
Too bad he didn’t toss in a side of “hands up don’t shoot” and “I cain’t breeve” just to prove he’s smarter than everybody. What a total freakin’ idjit. (No offense to real idjits)
"Without Pharrell," Marquis said, "our planet would not survive."
"I'm from Seychelles and it's a small island, and I don't want it get flooded," said Giselle Ondieki.
This makes Pharrell is 0 for 2.
Uhhhh, Marquis? Did it ever occur to you that the earth got along for some 4 billion years WITHOUT Will Pharell?
Actually this is Pharrell Williams.
I’m not familiar with this “Happy” song. The only one I know is “Don’t Worry - Be Happy.” I guess I am out of touch.
Uhhhhh, Giselle, is it? Unless I'm mistaken, Seychelles is not withing walking distance of The UN, so in order for you to have even gotten to this event, it took CO2.
And, oh, by the way, did anyone ever tell you that every time you exhale, you exhale CO2?
Remember the picture of the Girl Scouts holding up the signs ever time you buy a box of their cookies. They have fallen into the abyss.
Maybe they came by one of those Polynesian outriggers. Watch out for the icebergs in the Atlantic.
They could probably paddle around the iceberg. What they'd have to be mindful of is the hungry polar bear riding it.
He took a short course at the Holiday Inn from Al Gore entitled “Relasing Your Second Chakra Through Transformative Climate Change Analysis.”
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