The Greens and Senator David Pocock have backed calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the alleged 'petro-grooming' of children after an investigation exposed the extent of the fossil fuel sector's presence in schools, sports clubs and other educational institutions. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
A new report from climate advocacy group Comms Declare identified at least 260 industry-backed programs or sponsorships that were reaching children and teenagers from early childhood centres and schools to sporting clubs, museums and career pathway programs.
Examples included an education program at the Queensland Museum, sponsored by Shell and its subsidiary Queensland Gas Company, that produced learning materials for young students and free professional development courses for teachers.
A school's STEM program sponsored by a major fossil fuel company encouraged pupils aged eight and nine to build models of offshore drilling activities using bread, Vegemite and sprinkles.
Often, the report said, educational materials backed by fossil fuel sponsorship would accentuate the supposed personal steps people could take to reduce emissions, while underplaying the role of major corporations in producing and selling fossil fuels.
Comms Declare founder Belinda Noble told a press conference at parliament house: 'The coal oil and gas companies are profiteering and polluting, while simultaneously petro-grooming our kids. We believe our children deserve to play and learn in environments that are free from conflicted commercial influence.'
Greens resources spokesperson Steph Hodgins-May accused fossil fuel companies of using the programs and sponsorships to 'build social licence'. 'Children should go to school to get evidence-based education, not to be brainwashed by fossil fuel corporations seeking to build social licence,' she said.
Resources minister Madeleine King defended industry sponsorships of sporting clubs, saying: 'Resources companies have long supported Australian sport. Their sponsorship can in some places literally make the difference on some clubs staying afloat and whether local kids get a game on the weekend.'
Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable said the sector was proud to support programs that build awareness about energy's role in the modern world and job opportunities in mining.