🕵️♀️ The Climate Propagandist Newsletter #10
Decoding Earth Flags + your climate propaganda digest 🇺🇳
In this edition, we explore the quest for a universal symbol representing life on Earth and decode Earth Flags. As always, we have a treasure trove of climate propaganda resources for you to explore. Keep scrolling to the end to find our curated list of recommendations!
This newsletter is proudly supported by Project Drawdown.
🔦 INVESTIGATIVE PIECE: Decoding Earth Flags
As we reflect on Earth Month 2024, we are reminded of the urgent need to unite in support of life on earth. And what better way to achieve this than through the creation of an Earth Flag — a shared cultural touchstone that evokes pride, identity, and belonging? We yearn for a symbol that transcends divisive narratives of "us versus them," instead embracing a collective celebration of our shared humanity. In response to this need, a dedicated few have undertaken the daunting task of crafting an Earth flag — here’s a look at three attempts to capture this iconic imagery.
Earth Flag by John McConnel in 1969
In 1969, peace activist John McConnell created the Earth Flag in preparation for the world’s inaugural Earth Day, an event he also spearheaded. With this symbol, McConnell aimed to instill hope in people for a better future.
McConnell's original design drew inspiration from the theoretical first image of Earth taken by an Apollo mission and featured a simplified duochrome representation. In 1972, McConnell updated the Earth Flag based on NASA's iconic Blue Marble photograph of Earth from space. This current version of the Earth Flag depicts our planet as a small, fragile sphere floating in space, evoking the “overview effect” - the awe-induced shift to seeing the “big picture” of Earth and feeling the urge to protect it. The result is a simple, iconic, and universally resonant flag—a potent symbol of harmony and unity that resonates with people all over the world.
Earth Flag by James W. Cadle in 1970
The Earth Flag proposed by James W. Cadle in 1970 is a unique representation of our planet and its relationship with the sun and moon. The flag features a black background with a large yellow arc symbolising the sun, a smaller blue circle representing the Earth, and an even smaller white circle symbolising the moon.
The design of the flag is persistent, insinuative, and intentionally devoid of any specific point-of-origin. This absence of a focal point ensures that the flag does not favour or highlight any particular region, in contrast to the typical emphasis on Western locations.
Cadle's flag not only presents an inclusive representation of Earth, transcending divisions of class, ethnicity, and religion, but it also embodies a profound ecological perspective. By depicting the Earth as part of its broader ecosystem, the flag emphasises our interconnectedness with the natural world and the intricate web of life that sustains us.
Earth Flag by Oskar Permefeldt in 2015
Oskar Pernefeldt's proposed Earth Flag in 2015, known as the International Flag of Planet Earth, presents a captivating representation of our interconnected world and conveys a powerful message of collective responsibility.
This flag features seven rings forming a flower at the center, symbolising the meeting point for the diverse societies that inhabit our planet. The number of circles represents the seven continents of Earth, and the azure background symbolises the vital element of water, essential for sustaining all forms of life.
Although the flower also feels a bit like an extension of the Olympic rings, the flag captures the essence of our shared existence and the need for global unity in safeguarding our planet. It serves a reminder of the delicate balance that exists within our planet's biosphere, where every living organism plays a vital role in maintaining the health and stability of our shared home.
💼 CLIMATE PROPAGANDA DIGEST:
Don’t miss out on these handpicked resources for climate propagandists. Here’s a curated list of what to read, watch, listen to, and engage with…
📑 Reading material
This newly released report exposes a "campaign of deception, disinformation, and doublespeak waged using dark money, phony front groups, false economics, and relentless exertion of political influence" aimed at lobbying against climate action. The paper reveals how fossil fuel companies have strategically leveraged trade associations and university partnerships to lend credibility to their misleading narratives. An essential read for understanding the tactics used to obstruct progress on climate change.
REPORT: “The Low Carbon Lifestyle Wheel”
Another game-changing tool developed by Futerra and BEworks! The report challenges the notion of a value-action gap, highlighting practical and perceptual barriers to climate action and proposing new benefits to spur personal behaviour change. Climate storytellers can “use this report as a springboard of inspiration to discover new ways to tell impactful stories around sustainability or weave positive behaviours seamlessly into their narratives.”
📻 Audio content
If you haven't heard of this podcast yet, you're in for a treat! Hosted by author and journalist Omar El Akkad, Without explores all of the things we can't imagine losing. In this episode focused on advertising, film producer Ryan Lough discusses his background making ads and his new film You Need This, which interrogates consumerism and hyper-capitalism, and Andrew Oswald shares his perspective as a professor of economics and behavioural science.
EPISODE: “The six D-words of climate change”
Pollution propaganda takes the spotlight in this episode of Today Explained by Vox. Tune in for a quick and insightful discussion with scientist and author Michael E. Mann as he reveals the six D-words of climate change, guiding listeners on how to recognize the new face of climate denial. Mann exposes the playbook of fossil fuel giants, from delaying tactics to deflection and downplaying, showcasing how they obstruct climate action at every turn.
📹 Video resources
In this video, climate scientists and communicators Adam Levy and Katharine Hayhoe present thought-provoking analogies that offer a fresh perspective on the climate crisis.“Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere.” These insights will help you communicate and frame climate change more effectively, particularly for "the persuadables" — audiences who are undecided about climate action.
REPLAY: “The F-List Awards 2024”
Hosted by Clean Creatives, this annual event was a blast, packed with laughter and eye-opening insights into the fossil fuel industry's advertising and PR strategies. Trust us, you won't want to skip the replay! The awards was presented by a fantastic lineup of witty creators, ad industry professionals, and climate leaders (you'll surely recognize them all). We've condensed the event's key insights into a LinkedIn post, so feel free to check that out too.
🎟 Special events and offerings
IN-PERSON EVENT: “Posters for Climate Action” Dubai Edition
Following #Cop28, The Climate Propagandist is thrilled to announce the return of its landmark workshop, “Posters for Climate Action,” at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education for the Manipal Environment Conservation Society Students Club (MECS).
From analysing iconic examples of propaganda posters to crafting their own persuasive slogans and creative designs, this session offers a wealth of insights and hands-on activities for students eager to develop compelling messaging for climate action.
If you're interested in having us host a workshop at your school, university, or city in Europe from mid-June onwards, please reach out to us via email at hello@theclimatepropagandist.
💌 SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT:
This week’s newsletter is proudly supported by Project Drawdown.
In our recent editions, we've delved into the greenwashing and deceptive practices within the banking and insurance sectors, shedding light on impactful campaigns urging divestment from fossil fuels. We're thrilled to have the support of Project Drawdown, who have recently released an essential report serving as a toolkit to inspire climate action within your bank.
“Moving your money is an action you can take to send a signal to the system and help shift the flows of capital away from banking institutions that fund carbon-intensive sectors and toward banks that do not.”
This comprehensive report is tailor-made to inform and empower you to embrace climate-responsible banking practices. Decarbonising your banking is a potent climate action—one of the most impactful—and starting is simpler, ore accessible, and cost-effective than you might think.
Don't miss out! Download the report now and subscribe to Project Drawdown’s newsletter for updates on new research and campaigns.
While you eagerly await the next newsletter, why not hop over to our Instagram and LinkedIn pages for extra climate propaganda content? We've got a lot more in store for you there!
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oh wow this one is just packed with goodies