Rainn Wilson announced that he changed his name to Rainnfall Heat Wave Extreme Winter Wilson in an effort to draw attention to climate change.
In a video posted to his Twitter, which is still @rainnwilson, the 56-year-old actor said he’d been given the name change by the Arctic Risk Name Generator website.
“So as a cheap little stunt to save planet earth I’ve changed my name on Twitter, Instagram and even on my fancy writing paper,” Wilson said. “Because I’m an Arctic Risk namechanger which is going to be a game changer.”
He added that he’s a member of Arctic Risk Basecamp, which is a climate change non-profit, and wrote in a separate statement that the name change is “not a joke.”
“With the help of my scientist friends at Arctic Basecamp, I’ve changed my name to Rainnfall Heat Wave Extreme Winter Wilson,” Wilson said. “This is not a joke, I’m as serious as the melting Arctic, which amplifies global risks including extreme weather events around the globe.”
“I’m hoping this name change brings attention to this growing… er, melting issue,” he added. “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.”
The Office star urged his followers to “go to ArcticRiskName.org and create a name that will bring attention” to climate change.
“Then – and this is the important part – change your social media profile or display name to match your new ArcticRisk name,” he added. “And if enough of us do this, then maybe COP27 will be where our world leaders sit up and notice Arctic risks and introduce a solution.”
In his Twitter video, Wilson threw out a few potential name changes some of his celebrity colleagues might consider, including “Cardi the Arctic B Melting,” “Jack Black Carbon is Killing Us” and “Amy Poehler Bears Are Endangered.”
“This is during the COP 27 conference in Egypt where world leaders are gathering to discuss climate,” Wilson said in conclusion. “This will be a fun and important change.”
