Poole animator launches climate change cartoon on SKY KIDS. Obki was inspired by the Poole creator’s passion for open water swimming at Sandbanks beach.
Teaching Kids To Slow Down Climate Change
Amanda Evans, from Poole, has created a new, fun & engaging kids brand called Obki targeting 5-9 year olds with a unique focus on positive actions kids can take to help slow down climate change. The first season of 16 TV episodes launched successfully on Sky Kids in the UK & ROI in August 2021. The animated series features the original character Obki, a loveable alien, on his journey to be a positive force for good on Earth. Obki will educate and empower kids to make positive choices that help to protect the future of our planet.
Timed In Line With COP26
The TV series and promotional campaign has been perfectly timed to launch in line with COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference. OBKI was screened yesterday at COP26 at a special event called ‘World Leaders Listen Up’ on November 7th. The cartoon series on Sky Kids features Obki, a loveable alien, on his journey to be a positive force for good on Earth. The show is part of Sky’s campaign to be net zero carbon by 2030 and its commitment to encourage its customers to #GoZero, by using its content and channels to raise awareness of the climate crisis and inspire viewers with actions they can take to protect the planet. Obki’s animation director Simone Giampaolo was recently chosen as a UK Government ‘One Step Greener’ Ambassador.
Inspired By The British Countryside
Amanda was originally inspired to create Obki by her daily passion for open water swimming at Sandbanks beach and, seeing the effect the environment was having on the sea, wanted to engage with kids. Evans says: “There are simple steps we can all take every day to make life more sustainable and they all add up. It’s great that the loveable and fun persona of Obki has resonated with children and the British public and we are so happy to encourage and inspire more children around the world to take small steps for the environment. We are looking forward to taking Obki’s message across the world.”
Top Tips For Kids
The small changes that can make a big difference. Obki’s climate change tips for kids include:
1. Switch off electronic devices when they are not being used.
2. Buy and wear clothes made of natural fibres like cotton or linen not polyester to avoid introducing micro fibres into the sea.
3. Create insect gardens to promote biodiversity
4. Do fun things to fundraise for environmental charities
5. Plant trees wherever you can.
6. Buy food that is grown locally.
7. Cycle instead of travelling by car where possible.
8. Pick up litter even if it isn’t you who dropped it.
9. Look for products that are palm oil free or made using sustainable palm oil to stop the rainforest destruction and save the orangutans.
10. Wash used tin foil and then recycle it.
Obki is expected to be the first sustainable cartoon character that will get a truly sustainable global licensing deal according to licensing expert Damian Hopkins.
