🕵️♀️ The Climate Propagandist Newsletter #11
Exposing the "Not So Fast" campaign + 10 days to submit your poster to the Planet Poster Awards 🏆
In this edition, we expose Consol Energy’s “Not So Fast” campaign designed to slow the transition to renewables. 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 Creatives for Climate.
🔦 INVESTIGATIVE PIECE: Exposing the “Not So Fast” campaign to slow the transition to renewables
If you thought the era of coal was over, think again. The coal industry is fighting for its survival with sophisticated campaigns aimed at reshaping public perception and influencing government policies.
Just when you thought we were moving toward a greener future, here comes Consol Energy with their newly launched “Not So Fast” campaign, a masterclass in propaganda designed to keep coal burning a little longer. This effort exemplifies the coal industry's commitment to a slow transition to renewable energy—or ideally, no transition at all.
Spreading doubt
One of the campaign's primary tactics? Sowing doubt. By questioning well-established truths and peddling misleading information, the campaign aims to create uncertainty about the reliability and viability of renewable energy.
Their website, thecoalhardtruth.com (points for the pun, I guess), claims to debunk myths about coal. Consol Energy positions itself as the ultimate truth-teller, inviting folks to "hit pause on everything they think they know about coal." This approach tries to persuade people that the scientific consensus on coal's environmental impact is somehow flawed. The website signs off with a poetic gem: “Please don’t be kept in the dark about what keeps you in the light” — implying that people are blissfully ignorant about the essential role of coal in their lives.
Spreading fear
Fear-mongering is another pillar of the ‘Not So Fast’ campaign. It warns of impending energy shortages and blackouts if we dare to adopt renewable energy too quickly. This scare tactic creates a sense of urgency and dread, suggesting that a premature shift away from coal could lead to dire consequences.
Their social media channels are flooded with illustrations of people slipping on icy streets and crashing their cars, all to spread fear about abandoning coal. These are meant to be analogies for the catastrophic consequences of leaving coal too quickly. These images come with patronising captions like: “It’s a universal principle: when you rush, accidents happen. A new warning sign is emerging: Not so fast.” The message here? The coal industry is our benevolent teacher, warning us against the grave risks of renewable energy, which they liken to reckless behaviour.
Spreading memes
The “Not So Fast” campaign also tries to hijack current trends, memes, and pop culture to stay hip and relatable to younger audiences. They use hashtags like #ThatComesFromCoal and maintain an active presence across social media platforms. By leveraging humour, relatable situations, and a casual tone, they aim to engage and influence young people. Below, Consol Energy is trying to pitch coal as the epitome of cool.
The true intention of the “Not So Fast” campaign is to drag out the transition to renewable energy, allowing the coal industry to milk profits for as long as possible. By spreading doubt and fear, the campaign seeks to create a favorable environment for coal, painting it as an indispensable energy source while casting renewable energy in a suspicious light. So, while we could be moving forward, the coal industry is working overtime to keep us stuck in the past.
🏆 CREATIVE CONTEST: The Planet Poster Awards
No climate propaganda digest this week - instead an incredible opportunity for artists, designers, and creatives driven by a passion for sparking societal change!
The Planet Poster Awards invites you to unleash your creative talents to tackle the climate crisis and its interconnected challenges. It is presented by Icarus Complex Magazine, with The Climate Propagandist as special guest.
📇 Format:
Express yourself using any creative medium — whether it’s drawing, painting, graphic design, or any other form — you’re encouraged to leverage the potent combination of visual and verbal storytelling to mobilise climate action.
🗳️ Theme:
This year, as 49% of the global population will participate in elections, the Planet Poster Awards adopts the theme “Let’s Get Political!” to emphasise the urgent need for creative engagement with the pressing issues of our time.
⌛️ Deadline:
Submit your poster by June 15th.
🏆 Prize:
The Planet Poster Awards will showcase the work of 3 finalists. The winner will take home a cash prize of 1,000 euros. and their winning poster will be published in the next print edition of Icarus Complex to be released in September 2024.
📨 How to Submit:
Share your poster on socials, tagging and following @icaruscomplexmagazine and @theclimatepropagandist, then email it to submissions@icaruscomplexmagazine.com along with your full name and a brief paragraph about your artwork.
💌 SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT:
This week’s newsletter is proudly supported by Creatives for Climate.
Creatives for Climate is a global non-profit using creativity to take action. Creatives for Climate’s #GreenwashWatch training will help you identify and address greenwashing while building credible and effective marketing sustainability strategies.
In this course, you'll learn to:
Navigate sustainability with a holistic perspective
Challenge briefs and identify greenwashing
Craft effective sustainability pitches
Design and deliver projects with real impact
Stay abreast with the latest brand case studies and campaigns
Gain inspiration, ideas and new tactics on campaigning for change
The best part? They’re offering a 50% scholarship for the Greenwash Watch live cohort in September for EU residents — meaning it’s only €275 for four weeks of support and coaching. This is their only cohort for 2024, so don't miss out! Plus, there’s an on-demand free trial version available for all supporting members on the Creatives for Climate’s hub.
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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So excited for the Planet Poster Awards!!! ☺️❣️