Given that you're rejecting those statements in relation to the logo in the OP, would that mean that you'd classify that logo as memorable or well-designed? I'm curious about your professional opinion on the matter.
The biggest problem I have with the logo is that I'm not sure global warming is the type of movement that would benefit from a recognizable symbol.
Social movements like gay pride are largely advanced by people coming out as either gay themselves, or as a friend to the gay community. It's been taught by many leaders of the gay rights movement, from Harvey Milk and on, that often the best way to get people to change their minds about homosexuality is to let them know that they already know many gay friends and family members who are wonderful people.
Because of this, the simple act of putting a rainbow flag in front of your house, business, or church, is a a powerful message that goes a long way in advancing the cause.
The global warming crisis isn't the same. I don't think wearing a global warming button, no matter what the design, would do much to help the cause. It's more about education than simple awareness.
However, if this symbol is picked up, I could definitely see it becoming as easily recognizable as a pink triangle, or as marketing a product as "green."
It could potentially be featured at the bottom of the screen in an electric car commercial or something, once its meaning is established...
However, I feel like the symbol is too pessimistic for a use case like that. It's showing the earth dying, so I think it'd actually be more effective as a guerrilla marketing tactic used against things that are contributing to global warming. Like slapping these stickers on a gas pump, or on the billboard for an airline company. Again, once it was established, it'd be a quick read to understand it was meant as an indictment against the company for its environmental practices.
The biggest problem this logo has going against it though is that social movement imagery usually forms much more organically. Corporations can just come out and brand themselves. But social movements usually form meaning naturally from within, so who knows if this will actually take off.
