Kofi Annan to debate climate change at Cannes

Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan will take part in a debate on climate change, and the role creatives can play in addressing it, at the Cannes Lions advertising festival this summer.

Along with Annan, on the panel will be global Havas CEO David Jones, and debate host Hervé de Clerck, with the only-in-advertising title of dream leader of ACT responsible, and founder of AdForum.

All three chipped in for the press release on the importance of the debate:

“We hope to involve millions of people in a global movement for a fair resolution to the climate crisis,” said de Clerck in the release.

Annan added: “This is vital because political leaders will stand up and act only if they feel there is strong public support.”

Jones concluded: “The fundamental word is actually 'movement' rather than a 'campaign'. Because a campaign is something that you watch, whereas a movement is something that you join and are a part of.”

If this debate can be a serious forum for discussion, then we applaud it. But what no one needs – especially right now, when there’s a lot of important stuff vying for our attention – is another pomp-and-platitudes session where people sit and pontificate and think Big Thoughts.

Please – let’s keep it useful.