Description
Who: New South Wales State, Australia.
What: proposed bill to ban fossil ads and sponsorships.
When: in progress.
New South Wales politicians are backing a ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship across the state. Major NSW councils already backed motions to restrict promotions for coal, petroleum and natural gas on council property and at council events. These votes were backed by Independents, Greens and Labor councilors.
Proposed bill
In an Australian first, NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson, is bringing in a bill for an Act to prohibit advertising by fossil fuel companies – the Public Health and Safety (Fossil Fuel Advertising) Bill. Independent NSW MPs, Justin Field and Alex Greenwich are supportive of restrictions on fossil fuel advertising. Alex Greenwich recently asked a question of the government about fossil fuel sponsorships in schools.
Initiator Comms Declare
The campaign to ban fossil fuel advertising is run by Comms Declare, and backed by more than 200 health professionals who signed an open letter to politicians in July. Belinda Noble, Comms Declare Founder said: “Air pollution from fossil fuels kills twice as many Australians as road accidents every year. It’s only reasonable that businesses that cause such harm should not be allowed to advertise themselves without restrictions. Advertising self-regulation has failed to protect the public, and a ban on fossil fuel advertising is the only way we can effectively and quickly stamp out greenwashing and misinformation.
Health professionals
Child and adolescent psychiatrist and paediatrician, Dr Cybele Dey said: “Mining coal, oil and gas threatens the health and wellbeing of all Australians and everyone on this planet and I hope all NSW MPs and Senators act to protect health by ending fossil fuel advertising. “Health professionals support stopping fossil fuel advertising because they witness the human toll from burning fossil fuels via air pollution and climate change. As a child and adolescent psychiatrist and paediatrician, I’m especially concerned about our children and young people, over 50% of whom feel betrayed by governments over climate change. We are already seeing more children coming to hospital with self-harm during extreme heat and depression following climate-fuelled disasters.”
