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PR firms are spreading climate misinformation on behalf of fossil fuel companies. Could Australia stop them?

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · 7d

When the UN Secretary-General is calling out PR firms for blocking action on climate change, we need to do something. My latest in @theconversation.com on PR firms and climate misinformation in Australia.

theconversation.com/pr-firms-are...

@anuregnet.bsky.social @anu-iceds.bsky.social @cssn.org

This week, Australian policymakers heard about the real and growing problem of climate misinformation. Stopping it would mean regulating the PR industry.

Welcome to the World of Obstruction

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · 10d

Our submission draws on published research by @cssn.org scholars, including a forthcoming book on the topic entitled Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment to be published by Oxford University Press in October.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...

@anuregnet.bsky.social @anu-iceds.bsky.social

global.oup.com

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · 10d

3. There is considerable empirical evidence going back to at least the 1990s or before that the same types of organizations have been operating in Australia and spreading misinformation about climate change.

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · 10d

2. There is a network of organizations that exists to influence the public, media, and political arenas to slow, stop, or reverse effective climate action. This is not only oil, gas and coal companies, but includes trade associations, think tanks, and PR firms, among many others.

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · 10d

1. There is accumulating evidence that efforts to address climate change have been unsuccessful because of the work to obstruct them.

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · 10d

A pleasure to appear before the Senate Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy this afternoon, which is investigating the scale of climate misinformation and its impacts on Australian politics.

www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...

I made 3 key points🧵

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · 15d

Ahead of our forthcoming book Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment, the inimitable @amywestervelt.bsky.social of @drilledmedia.bsky.social has just dropped the first episode of a podcast series covering each chapter.

The book is out 14th Oct & will be free to download, links below. @cssn.org

Amy Westervelt @amywestervelt.bsky.social · 22d

If you're a @drilledmedia.bsky.social listener you know I think social scientists are key sources if we want to understand why governments haven't acted on climate. So imagine my nerd delight to get my hands on an incredible new batch of research on climate obstruction. drilled.media/podcasts/dri...

Investigating the obstacles to action on climate change.

drilled.media

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · 21d

Plenting happening in climate and energy policy this week. Great to be on ABC Afternoon Briefing to discuss greenhouse gas targets and more (51min mark). @anu-iceds.bsky.social @anuregnet.bsky.social

iview.abc.net.au/show/afterno...

Afternoon Briefing: Thursday 18/9/2025

Melissa Clarke covers reaction to the government's 2035 emissions target, speaking with Greens Leader Larissa Waters, Nationals Leader David Littleproud, Innes Willox, Su McCluskey, Christian Downie p...

iview.abc.net.au

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · 27d

Important new study showing showing that oil, gas, coal and cement producers contributed to climate induced heatwaves

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Systematic attribution of heatwaves to the emissions of carbon majors - Nature

Climate change made 213 historical heatwaves reported over 2000–2023 more likely and more intense, to which each of the 180 carbon majors (fossil fuel and cement producers) substantially contributed.

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Christian Downie

Royce Kurmelovs @roycerk2.bsky.social · Sep 5

The Business Council of Australia have been saying that dealing with climate change is too expensive since governments began seriously looking at how to respond to this existential threat in 1993 -- and they've been citing modelling.

There really is nothing new under the sun, it seems.

Australia needs $530bn capital to meet 70% climate goal, business council claims before new 2035 target

Modelling commissioned by lobby group comes as Climate Change Authority due to advise on new target – but does not factor in cost of not acting

Exxon escalates attacks on EU’s ‘high-regulation’ climate policies

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · Aug 29

I'm assuming this is the same firm that is commited to net zero emissions.

www.ft.com/content/1833...

US oil major warns Europe’s approach has driven up energy costs and eroded public backing for green transition

www.ft.com

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · Aug 13

UN plastics treaty is being hampered by climate obstruction tactics

on.ft.com/4owfs6m

UN plastics treaty is being hampered by climate obstruction tactics

Conflicting interests are coming to a head as countries attempt to end the scourge of pollution

on.ft.com

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · Aug 11

From ‘reef-friendly’ sunscreens to ‘sustainable’ super, greenwashing allegations are rife. Here’s how the claims stack up
theconversation.com/from-reef-fr...

From ‘reef-friendly’ sunscreens to ‘sustainable’ super, greenwashing allegations are rife. Here’s how the claims stack up

Consumers are often willing to pay more for eco-friendly products – but are they getting what they paid for?

‘Total infiltration’: How plastics industry swamped vital global treaty talks

Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · Jul 28

‘Total infiltration’: How plastics industry swamped vital global treaty talks

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Petrostates and well-funded lobbyists at UN-hosted talks are derailing a deal to cut plastic production and protect people and the planet

Australian taxpayers on the hook to pay Chevron more than $500m to clean up oil wells

Reposted by Christian Downie

Lenore Taylor @lenoret.bsky.social · Jul 23

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

So let's get this straight - they pay us (taxpayers) $1bn for DECADES of oil extraction, and then we pay them back about half that amount to help clean up the sites - okey dokey

Deal struck in 1980s refunds about half of what the US multinational fossil fuel company paid in royalties, documents show

Deadly algal bloom in South Australia’s Coorong an environmental ‘eye opener’, ecologist says

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · Jul 7

Devastating to see what marine heatwaves are doing to our oceans off the South Australian Coast
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Among the dead in the internationally significant wetland are estuarine snails, shore crabs, baby flounder and ‘a thick stew of polychaete worms’ after high tides swept the algae

Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · Jul 7

Privilege to present at the plenary on #climate politics at the International Conference on Public Policy #ICPP7 - drawing on our global assessment of climate obstruction

global.oup.com/academic/pro... @cssn.org

Terrific to hear about all the public policy work taking place, especially in Asia.

‘Kill shot’: GOP megabill targets solar, wind projects with new tax

Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · Jun 29

US proposing new taxes to kill solar and wind - this appears much worse than IRA repeal alone.

www.politico.com/live-updates...

www.politico.com

Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · Jun 24

Good to see Victoria weaning off gas.

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Don’t believe the hype: Victorian government deserves credit for not buckling to aggressive pro-gas campaign

Australia’s most gas-reliant state takes a significant step to move households and businesses away from fossil fuels and cut energy bills

9 myths about electric vehicles have taken hold. A new study shows how many people fall for them

Reposted by Christian Downie

Prof. Bob Howarth @profbobhowarth.bsky.social · Jun 13

Increase in methane emissions from fossil fuels has been underestimated. Our new PNAS paper just published today:
www.pnas.org/doi/epub/10....

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Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · Jun 12

9 myths about electric vehicles have taken hold. A new study shows how many people fall for them
theconversation.com/9-myths-abou...

From fires to carbon emissions and electromagnetic fields, misinformation about electric vehicles is rife – and widely believed.

A reversal in US climate policy will send renewables investors packing – and Australia can reap the benefits

Christian Downie @christiandownie.bsky.social · Jun 11

A reversal in US climate policy will send renewables investors packing – and Australia can reap the benefits - my take @aunz.theconversation.com

"Now is the time for the Albanese government to woo investors with a bolder program of climate action in Australia"

theconversation.com/a-reversal-i...

Billions of dollars in renewables investment once destined for the US could soon be looking for a new home. The Albanese government must capitalise.