Matt Damon goes on 'toilet strike' for water campaign [VIDEO]

In a new YouTube video released Tuesday, actor and Water.org co-founder Matt Damon tells a room full of incredulous journalists that he won't go to the bathroom "until everyone has access to clean water and sanitation."

"Whaaaaat?" one reporter asks. "Do you mean literally, like you won't go to the bathroom, but will go somewhere else like maybe a swimming pool?" inquires another.

The mock press conference is just a joke, but it's part of a much larger viral video campaign to address the global water crisis in the lead-up to World Water Day on March 22. According to The Guardian, Water.org worked with Google, social media sites and celebrities like Damon to conceive of marketing strategy that would appeal to young people. Thus, "Strike with me" was born.

"The concept of experimenting with comedy to generate new levels of awareness and participation in the cause is something we've been toying with for a couple of years," Damon told the Los Angeles Times. "If Sarah Silverman and I can generate millions of views on YouTube for something ridiculous, then we should be able to do better for one of the most important and solvable issues of our time."

Damon and co. want the video's viewers to visit Strikewithme.org, to support the strike by signing in through their Facebook or Twitter accounts, or by donating to Water.org.

This first video featuring Damon also stars familiar faces Lamorne Morris ("New Girl") and Steven Root ("Office Space").