BRUSSELS (AFP) — Greenpeace supporters handed out mock copies of the International Herald Tribune in several countries Thursday to press world leaders to agree on ambitious efforts to tackle climate change.
The eight-page mock-up included everything from an environmentally friendly Garfield comic strip to a horoscope (Sagittarius: 'There is a limit to what you can do with the resources available to you').
There was even a full-page, but fake BP advert bearing the slogan: "We changed our logo. We can change the world".
The paper was handed out in Brussels' European quarter shortly before EU leaders were to begin a two-day summit at which the environment is on the agenda.
In all some 50,000 copies were distributed free in the European capital as well as several cities in Asia, the United States and Mexico.
The edition was dated December 19, 2009, the day after a global climate conference will take place in Copenhagen.
The front-page was dominated by a picture of grinning European leaders, France's Nicolas Sarkozy, Germany's Angela Merkel and EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who some observers believe won't last in office till December, was notable by his absence.
The fake paper included an article on President Sarkozy "stunning" his fellow leaders by declaring that nuclear power was dead and unveiling a massive plan for renewable energy in France.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi also "confounds his critics" by backing solar power and research into energy efficiency.
After delivering his speech he had to be rushed to hospital suffering from "confetti-inhalation and minor hug-related injuries".
The paper was produced "to show world leaders, and all of us, the future we might have if they do right by the planet," in Copenhagen," Greenpeace said in its own editorial.
It was by no means the first time that Greenpeace have pulled off such a stunt in Brussels.
In 2007 the group bricked up the main entrance to the EU Council building on the day European fisheries ministers were meeting.
The special Greenpeace edition of the IHT is available on-line at iht.greenpeace.org.
The paper version was printed on recyclable paper with natural ink from vegetables, assured Mark Breedy spokesman for the environmental group.
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