The Office star Rainn Wilson has revealed that he’s changing his name to “Rainfall Heat Wave Extreme Winter Wilson” in a bid to highlight the climate crisis and the severe weather it will bring.
The actor known for his role as Dwight Schrute on the American iteration of The Office made the announcement as world leaders meet in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt for Cop27, the United Nations’ annual climate conference.
Wilson shared in a press release from Arctic Basecamp: “I’m hoping this name change brings attention to this growing... er, melting issue.
“We need world leaders at COP27 to take notice and take action.
“The Arctic is melting at millions of litres per second, yet this problem can’t seem to make a name for itself, so it’s up to us to make a name for it,” he continued.
“This is not a joke. I’m as serious as the melting Arctic, which amplifies global risks including extreme weather events around the globe.”
Join me @ @ArcticBasecamp in bringing attention to the melting issue. We need world leaders to take action at COP 27!
— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) November 9, 2022
The Arctic is melting at Millions of Liters per second, yet this problem can’t seem to make a name for itself, so we’ll make a name for it.
Go to link in bio ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/TgEG84fOmQ
Arctic Basecamp is an organisation of scientists who raise awareness on the climate crisis and the Hollywood star is on their advisory board.
Wilson also appeared in a video promoting the organisation’s campaign to raise awareness on the climate crisis with their name generator, an online tool where people can input their name and get a new middle moniker highlighting severe weather impacts caused by the warming planet.
Introducing himself with an even longer version of his new name, he began: “Hi there, I’m Rainn Wilson — or should I say: ‘Rainfall Heat Wave Rising Sea Levels And We Have To Do Something About It Now Wilson.
“Sorry to get so dark, so quick.”
Wilson also suggested some other famous faces who could change their name to highlight aspects of the climate crisis, such as “Cardi The Arctic B Melting” and “Amy Poehler Bears Are Endangered”.
Variety has reported that it is unclear whether the star is legally changing his name.
A rep for Wilson told The Standard: “Rainn, together with Arctic Basecamp, are devoted to doing their part to highlight the devastating effects of climate change.
“Rather than focusing on confirming or denying Rainn’s name change, instead we would like to invite your participation by filing your story under your new climate change name.”
The COP27 climate-change conference began on Sunday, November 6 and will end on Friday, November 18.
World leaders, including British PM Rishi Sunak, accredited non-profits, and members of observer organisations are attending the conference in and around the UN offices of the “green city” of Sharm El Sheikh.
More than 2000 speakers, 35,000 participants, and 300 points of discussion are expected to pan out over the week, including conversations about the profound changes the warming planet is having on the Arctic.
