Santa Checks In From Melting North Pole, Says Christmas May Be Canceled (VIDEO)

Santa, say it ain't so!

In a new video by Greenpeace, Santa has taken a unique approach to fighting climate change: telling children that due to melting ice caps at the North Pole, Christmas may be canceled.

The video, titled "An urgent message from Santa," features a dingy St. Nick in a damp basement, making the video look more like a terrorist tape than a message from Santa.

A closer look reveals that "Santa" is none other than English actor Jim Carter, who is best known as the curmudgeonly butler Mr. Carson in "Downton Abbey."

"Dear children, regrettably, I bring bad tidings," says Carter. "For some time now, melting ice here at the North Pole has made our operations and our day-to-day life intolerable and impossible. And there may be no alternative but to cancel Christmas."

"I have written personally to President Obama, President Putin, all world leaders," he continues. "Sadly, my letters have been met with indifference. Needless to say, these individuals are now at the top of my naughty list."

The video is part of Greenpeace's "Save Santa's Home" campaign, which aims to slow the effects of climate change in the Arctic.

While some called the video "clever" and "creative," others blasted Greenpeace for potentially scaring children.

"Kids freak out even over rosy-cheeked Santas," said CNN's Jeanne Moos. "Not since a real-life bandit robbed a Nashville bank dressed as St. Nick have we seen such a sorry excuse for a Santa."

Nevertheless, the video is certainly entertaining, and it appears Carter, who has been a Greenpeace member for decades, is wiling to do whatever it takes to get the message out. Just don't call him a liberal.