The powerful influence of the oil industry on global climate action has often been a topic of intense scrutiny. One way the industry has managed to maintain its stronghold is through calculated public relations strategies. This post will dissect three key ways in which the oil industry's PR efforts are molding the global climate action landscape, contributing to the ongoing discourse and, at times, hindering progress in the fight against climate change.
1. The oil industry's calculated public relations strategies have a powerful influence on global climate action and have even hindered progress in the fight against climate change.
2. They conduct extensive public relations campaigns, positioning themselves as part of the solution to the climate crisis and not the problem.
3. The oil industry has been investing in renewable energy sources like wind and solar power and use these initiatives to promote their commitment to sustainability, aiming to improve their public image.
4. They fund research and studies that question the severity of climate change, creating doubt and controversy around the scientific consensus on global warming.
5. The industry endorses slow-paced political policies and regulations concerning environmental standards, leading to a delay in essential climate actions.
In 2019, the world's largest oil and gas companies spent over $200 million on lobbying activities to block or delay policies aimed at tackling climate change.
Firstly, the oil industry has been conducting extensive public relations campaigns, projecting themselves as part of the solution to the climate crisis rather than part of the problem. They have been investing in renewable energies, such as wind and solar power, while simultaneously promoting these initiatives to display their commitment to sustainability. This has been done strategically to rebrand their image in the eyes of the public, policymakers, and potential investors. Secondly, they have been funding research and studies questioning the severity of climate change, creating doubt and controversy around the scientific consensus about global warming. Lastly, they are endorsing slow-paced political policies and regulations regarding environmental standards, thus delaying crucial climate action.