It’s turning into Astroturf August. Hot on the heels of the revelations about the fake oil industry PR campaign, comes the fake coal PR campaign. We knew that the fossil fuel industry would not give up without a fight, but we did not realise that had turned into such fossil fools, by have all their … Read More
Public Relations
Oil Industry Astroturf Campaign Exposed
You really didn’t think that the oil industry would just roll over and give up without a fight on the US Waxman-Markey Climate Bill did you? Just a couple of days ago I blogged about how many people had lobbied the climate bill. Although they are pouring in serious cash to defeat the Bill, its … Read More
Peter’s Second Problem: Shell Climate Crimes Exposed
When Peter Voser (on the right of the photo) takes the helm of the oil giant Shell on Wednesday, he might just start beginning to wonder what a complete mess he has inherited from his predecessor, van der Veer (he’s on the left). This mess is graphically illustrated in a 32 page devastating critique of … Read More
Shell Worried Ogoni PR was “Green Imagery”
It’s not often that a company’s public relations strategy is laid bare for all to see. It’s very rare that these most sensitive of company documents – the ones that talk of using the dark arts of persuasion – ever see the light of day. But occasionally it happens. It did with big tobacco when … Read More
Fossil Fuel Lobby’s $45 Million Propaganda Campaign
You really did not expect them to lie down and roll over without a fight did you? Yesterday we highlighted how the sceptics were gearing up for one last push to undermine the science of climate change. Today its the turn of the oil and coal companies who are pouring millions into scuppering the Democrat’s … Read More
Shell Bottom of Emission Disclosure Ratings
For a decade now – since Ken Saro-Wiwa’s death and the Brent Spar fiasco – Shell has done its utmost to portray itself as a green oil company. It hasn’t quite gone to the lengths of its rival BP and completely rebranded its logo, but it has spent millions of dollars trying to change perceptions … Read More
Tar Sands Lobby Launches PR Offensive
Appearances, goes the saying, can be deceptive. One of the tactics the oil industry has used over the years is the use of “front-groups” to promote its cause. Often these names are deliberately designed to confuse people or hide their real intention. So the Global Climate Coalition was not a coalition of NGOs attempting to … Read More
Nuclear Spin Doctors Win As Greens Go Pro-Nukes
Earlier this month, the crème of the nuclear industry spin doctors gathered in Edinburgh in Scotland at the posh Sheraton Hotel. The event, known as PIME 2009, is where they outline their public relations techniques as to how to try and sell a dangerous, expensive and dirty fuel as green, clean and climate friendly.
One Hours Profit for 500 Dead Ducks
The images last year of some 500 dead and dying ducks drowning in a toxic tailings pond was not one that Canada wanted the world to see. They wanted to keep the downside of Canada’s dirty tar sands business secret. But the images of the dying birds flashed around the world much to the annoyance … Read More
Another industry off the hook…
The EU has caved in to another powerful industry. EU ministers have finally agreed to impose carbon emissions quotas on airlines in an attempt to fight climate change. However, the start date for the EU emissions trading scheme will be delayed to 2012, a year later than MEPs were asking for. The scheme also faces … Read More