TWO Greenpeace activists have been arrested for graffiting the streets of Canberra to push for strong action on climate change.

The two activists were stencilling a logo for their new campaign with the words "Don't Kev It Up" using a technique known as clean or reverse graffiti.

The technique involves using a stencil and high power water hose to selectively clean a dirty surface leaving behind a message in the grime.

The new campaign, DirtyKev, promises to make the Prime Minister's name a dirty word if he doesn't commit to big carbon cuts at the Copenhagen climate conference in December.

"If Kevin Rudd does a deal for the big polluters at Copenhagen, we're asking Australians to pledge to make his name a dirty word," Greenpeace climate campaigner John Hepburn said.

The two activists have been charged with willfully defacing territory property and could face a fine of over $1,000.

They will face the ACT Magistrates court on Friday.

