Millions Join World’s Largest Carbon Conversation with The Climate Reality Project’s 24 Hours of Reality: The Cost of Carbon

Boulder, CO (Oct. 29, 2013) — The Climate Reality Project’s 24 Hours of Reality: The Cost of Carbon officially broke its viewership record for the second year in a row with more than 20 million views worldwide and supported by more than 130 events hosted in 14 countries. The live-streamed event, which took place from October 22-23 and circled the globe, marked the largest-ever conversation on carbon pollution and the cost individuals and communities everywhere are paying.

“We are paying the cost of carbon pollution in large and small ways – from major infrastructure damages to subtle shifts in growing seasons,” said Maggie L. Fox, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project. “Luckily, 21st-century technology allows us to share stories of both carbon pollution impacts and climate change solutions all around the world through 24 Hours of Reality. Together, we are connecting the dots between carbon pollution and the climate crisis and calling for our leaders to put a price on carbon."

Led by The Climate Reality Project’s founder and Chairman, former Vice President Al Gore, the event brought together cultural voices from around the world including world leaders, economists, activists, artists, public health advocates, and more. Together, they spoke about climate change impacts and solutions across six continents, focusing on climate impacts on lives and livelihoods, water, infrastructure, food security, displacement, and human health. In addition to the online views, the event also generated an estimated 252 million impressions on Twitter and Facebook during the 24-hour period, and the #CostofCarbon hashtag was a globally trending topic on Twitter.

The first annual 24 Hours of Reality live broadcast via Ustream in 2011 received more than 8 million online views, 90 million Twitter impressions, and earned a Cannes Silver Lion at the 59th International Festival of Creativity. Last year’s 24 Hours of Reality: The Dirty Weather Report again circled the globe, drawing more than 16 million views, generating 142 million social media impressions, and earning two Silver Telly Awards for News/News Feature and Social Responsibility.