Actor Rainn Wilson took to social media Wednesday to announce that he had changed his name to protest of climate change.
The star, who played Dwight in the TV series, “The Office,” debuted his new name — Rainnfall Heat Wave Rising Sea Levels Wilson — in a video shared to his Twitter account. “As the polar caps melt, it drives up risks throughout the world,” Wilson said. “So as a cheap little stunt to help save planet Earth, I’ve changed my name on Twitter, Instagram, and even on my fancy writing paper,” the actor declared.
Join me @ @ArcticBasecamp in bringing attention to the melting issue. We need world leaders to take action at COP 27!
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— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) November 9, 2022
Wilson encouraged other followers to join him as an “Arctic Risk Name Changer” in an effort to pressure world leaders to combat climate change. The actor’s announcement aligns with the two-week long United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP27, currently taking place in Egypt. (RELATED: ‘The Office’ Star Rainn Wilson Bullied Into Retracting Comment About ‘Chestfeeding’)
In his video, the actor threw out name suggestions for fellow members in show business, including “Cardi the Arctic B Melting,” “Jack Black Carbon is Killing Us,” and “Ty-phoons Are Increasing Burrell,” to name a few. Other name change suggestions included “Amy Poehler Bears Are Endangered” and “Harrison Why Not Drive An Electric Ford.”
“It’s fun. It’s free,” the actor urged followers. Wilson added that he couldn’t change his name on Twitter “because Elon,” referencing new guidelines put in effect by the platform’s new owner, CNN reported.