Greenpeace E.U. and 20 other environmental organizations launched a new campaign this month demanding a European Union–wide ban on fossil fuel advertisements. The groups’ proposal would not only prohibit the promotion of coal, oil, gas, gasoline-powered vehicles, airplanes, and so-called “false solutions” — like unrealistic paths to decarbonization — but it would also stop oil companies from advertising altogether. To kick off the effort, dozens of Greenpeace activists descended on Rotterdam to block traffic around Europe’s largest oil refinery.
“Coal and gas = climate chaos,” their signs read.
Across the Atlantic, U.S.-based climate activists applauded the campaign, which they say could help delegitimize fossil fuel companies in the public eye. But differences between American and European law mean that American climate groups would face greater difficulty if they called for an outright ban on fossil fuel advertising. Instead, American advocacy groups have been challenging the content of fossil fuel companies’ advertisements, rather than their very existence.
In any jurisdiction, there’s much to complain about; fossil fuel ads tend to paint ... Read more
