Lauri Markkanen is taking up the fight against climate change in a unique way. The Chicago Bulls big man took to Twitter to promote sustainable changes in an effort to combat climate change. He used a unique looking basketball that was modeled after this year's world heat map to show a visual representation of what is going on:

In a short video, Lauri Markkanen makes a call to action to make a sustainable pledge to combat climate change:

“This basketball has been modeled after this year's heat map. Climate change is not a game, but this is what we're playing with. Now is the right time to start making changes. This basketball reminds all of us that the world is choking. I want to inspire everyone to make changes by leading the way.”

This is a nice message from Markkanen, and it's a message that is easy to get behind. But it is somewhat suspect when it's funded by a billion dollar oil company — Neste. The Finnish company does have a history of investment in renewable energy, but they have also had ties with palm oil companies like IOI with a checkered environmental history.

That being said, there's no reason to believe Markkanen isn't doing this in good faith. He's urging others to recognize what we're facing and make an effort to change things.

NBA players are no stranger to taking on social justice issues. Lauri Markkanen is choosing climate change as an issue he cares about as he nears his return to the court.