Climate activists 'perplexed' as a wind turbine emoji is REJECTED for being too similar to the windmill character
- Two charities submitted a request for the wind turbine emoji to Unicode last year
- It's been rejected amid claims it would be too similar to a windmill character
- Climate activists argue the emoji would help people 'celebrate the progress we're making in decarbonising energy'
From smiley faces to cheeky aubergines, emoji now form a staple part of many people's day-to-day messages.
But if you were hoping to send your friends a wind turbine emoji, we've got some bad news for you.
The Unicode Consortium has rejected calles for a wind turbine emoji to be added, amid claims it would be too similar to a windmill character, which is currently under review.
Climate campaigners have expressed disappointment at the news, saying they're 'perplexed' by the decision.
![The Unicode Consortium has rejected calles for a wind turbine emoji to be added, amid claims it would be too similar to a windmill character, which is currently under review](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/16/15/39361600-0-image-a-67_1613490851678.jpg)
The Unicode Consortium has rejected calles for a wind turbine emoji to be added, amid claims it would be too similar to a windmill character, which is currently under review
The Possible charity and RenewableUK trade association submitted a request for the wind turbine emoji to Unicode last year.
Emoji - the mini icon images used frequently when messaging via smartphone - currently feature a gas pump and an oil drum, but campaigners argue there is nothing that represents renewable energy.
'It's fair to say we were quite perplexed by their decision,' Possible tweeted.
'Windmills and wind turbines are very different tech and people would likely use these emojis in entirely different contexts.'
![Emoji - the mini icon images used frequently when messaging via smartphone - currently feature a gas pump and an oil drum, but campaigners argue there is nothing that represents renewable energy](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/16/15/39361606-0-image-a-78_1613490906792.jpg)
Emoji - the mini icon images used frequently when messaging via smartphone - currently feature a gas pump and an oil drum, but campaigners argue there is nothing that represents renewable energy
RenewableUK said Unicode's decision is an 'odd stance' given that the body's main sponsoring companies include tech giants which are leading private sector advocates for action on climate change.
'We're very disappointed that Unicode has refused to include a wind turbine emoji in its lexicon of symbols, especially as it already has emojis for fossil fuels like oil and petrol,' said Luke Clark, RenewableUK's director of strategic communications.
'In a world where Tesla is already the most valuable motor company globally, a wind turbine is a much more relevant symbol for our future than a petrol pump.
'It might sound trivial, but emojis are an important part of how people communicate every day and Unicode is way behind the curve on the public's concerns over climate change.
'People across the globe are discussing the climate emergency more and more every day.
'Emojis for wind turbines and other clean energy sources can help people to discuss and understand these issues, and celebrate the progress we're making in decarbonising energy.'
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