The Australian Conservation Foundation has called for a Senate inquiry into the fossil fuel industry’s engagement with children and young people after an investigation revealed industry programs could be reaching millions of Australian children.
A report released today by climate communications charity Comms Declare reveals big coal, oil and gas companies are reaching Australian children through schools, museums, science centres, sporting clubs, early learning programs and scholarships.
From Cradle to Career: Fossil fuel industry presence in Australian childhood settings identifies 260 publicly documented programs and sponsorships run or funded by fossil fuel companies and industry bodies that reached children aged 0 to 18.
“Fossil fuel companies should get out of Australian schools,” said the Australian Conservation Foundation’s climate and energy program manager Gavan McFadzean.
“Coal, oil and gas are the main drivers of the climate crisis, but this research shows the fossil fuel industry is trying to distort what Australian children learn about science, climate and energy.
“Woodside’s sponsorship of the Nippers is particularly revolting – how can a corporation whose key product directly causes ocean warming be allowed to sponsor a children’s lifesaving program?
“Let kids be kids. Australian children should be able to learn, play and grow without companies like Glencore, Woodside and Santos misusing educational spaces to build trust and social licence.
“Woodside’s Browse proposal would see the company drill for gas next to the biodiverse Scott Reef and pipe the gas 900km for processing at the North West Shelf.
“Over its lifetime Woodside’s Browse project is expected to generate more than three-and-a-half times Australia’s total annual emissions.
“The Comms Declare investigation revealed more than $50 million in disclosed funding for just six of these programs. This is likely to be the tip of the iceberg.
“We call on the federal government to investigate how much Australian children are being manipulated and influenced by big corporations by establishing a standalone Senate inquiry into this issue.”