Al Qaeda prime's official media production group, As-Sahab, released a new audio recording by Osama bin Laden early Feb. 18 on jihadist online forums. The approximately 13-minute message, which was accompanied by a prepared transcript and called "The Way to Save the Earth," features a still picture of bin Laden to the right of a map of the world with English subtitles. The images remain still throughout the entire message. If the voice truly is bin Laden's, it could be proof that he is alive, as the recording appears to be a rejoinder from bin Laden to the confusion and complaints caused by his last message about climate change on Jan. 29. This is also the third purported audio message by al Qaeda's leader in a month. Bin Laden claims the message is directed "to the whole world about those who cause climate change." And, demonstrating that bin Laden is on the defensive, he notes, "Talk of climate change isn't extravagant speculation: it is a tangible fact which is not diminished by its being muddled by some greedy heads of major corporations. The effects of global warming have spread to all continents of the world." In the course of his message, bin Laden offers five less-than-transparent solutions to stymie capitalists (read: the United States). First, bin Laden addresses the issue of corruption and climate change. He states, "The corruption of the climate stems from the corruption of hearts and deeds." He claims, "God has punished peoples with tsunamis due to the corruption of their hearts and deeds and their disobedience to God the Most High," and says that the only solution is to "dedicate worship to God and ask for forgiveness." Second, bin Laden asks that "we be economical in all of our affairs and avoid luxury and wastefulness, especially in food, drink, clothing, housing and energy." Third, bin Laden asks people to stop consuming U.S. goods because doing so would create a "decrease in harmful gases." Next, bin Laden says, "There must be accounting and punishment for those who head the major corporations and their political proxies, so that they stop their harmful actions against humanity." Of all his points, this one maintains at least a semblance of some sort of threat, though it is by no means direct. Finally, he argues that "we should refuse to do business with the dollar and get rid of it as soon as possible." This, he claims, is, "an important way to liberate humanity from enslavement and servitude to America and its corporations." Concluding his message, bin Laden appeals to individuals to help the mujahideen shoulder the burden against America by "tighten[ing] the embargo" against the United States. Directing his message to the entire world, he states, "It is neither just nor equitable nor wise nor smart that the burden be left on the mujahideen alone in an issue whose adverse effects concern the entire world." In this vein, he states, "What is being asked of you is simple: It is that you tighten the embargo against them. So be earnest and take the initiative in boycotting them, in order to save yourselves, your wealth and your children from climate change and in order to live freely and honorably." He further asks all wealthy states to stop lending financial assistance to the United States. In essence, bin Laden's message represents what is commonly referred to as "economic jihad," whereby jihadists seek to wage war against the viability of an enemy's economy. While this strategy typically is directed against a country's natural resources, especially oil, this type of jihad has certainly extended to economic embargoes leveled against Western products, companies and the countries themselves. Nevertheless, bin Laden's latest message — much like his messages from January — lacks teeth. Indeed, there is no mention of direct attacks against the United States, save his very general appeal for an economic embargo. Ultimately, bin Laden's latest message is yet another demonstration of his — and, perhaps by extension, al Qaeda prime's — diminishing relevance and overall global threat.