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8:33 AM (1 hour ago)
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Dear all
The 'New Scientist Live' festival might catch the eye of anyone interested in science and climate change. But browsing the website for the event reveals that they have chosen as a sponsor (for the Earth Zone no less) Shell, one of the fossil fuel companies whose activities are endangering the very biodiversity the event is celebrating. This is in clear contradiction of New Scientist magazine's professed position on climate change. Further browsing reveals BAE Systems as another major sponsor, one sure to raise eyebrows among anyone aware of this arms company's contribution to the ongoing tragedy in Yemen.
We have joined with other campaign groups and organisations to oppose these sponsorship deals, with a joint statement below and a petitionwhich you can sign and share, calling on New Scientist to adopt an ethical sponsorship policy for future events, including avoiding companies whose core business exacerbates conflict or climate change.
And if you're around this Thursday morning, do join us as the exhibition opens. Facebook event
Thanks for your support!
Claire
"This Thursday, 'New Scientist Live' will open at London's ExCel Centre, described excitingly by its organisers as 'a festival of ideas and discovery'. But New Scientist has had a particularly bad idea already – the festival will be prominently sponsored by Shell, a major oil company that has funded attempts to undermine climate science, and BAE Systems, an arms company that willingly sells weapons to repressive regimes. By associating their brands with this family-friendly event, these irresponsible companies will deflect attention from their many environmental and human rights impacts around the world.
With no hint of irony, Shell will sponsor the 'Earth Zone', attaching its brand to discussions about climate change. Meanwhile, it is out exploring for new sources of oil and gas around the world – fossil fuels that we can't afford to burn if we are to prevent devastating climate change. And BAE Systems will be branding the 'Engineering Zone' and guarantees that visitors will 'learn something new and exciting'. But will they learn the reality behind this dangerous arms company, and how its weapons are playing a central role in Saudi Arabia's bombardment of Yemen? By signing these sponsorship deals, New Scientist is giving these unethical companies a social legitimacy they just don't deserve.
With big names from the fields of science, engineering and the arts set to appear – from astronaut Tim Peake to author Margaret Atwood – Shell and BAE Systems are set to clean-up their brands by buying into the reputation of others. In a world facing record-breaking extreme weather and numerous wars, it is essential that major corporations that help fuel this destruction and profit from conflict and repression are not allowed to hide behind the positive reputation of science. New Scientist should take a stand and cut its ties to these sponsors."
The 'New Scientist Live' festival might catch the eye of anyone interested in science and climate change. But browsing the website for the event reveals that they have chosen as a sponsor (for the Earth Zone no less) Shell, one of the fossil fuel companies whose activities are endangering the very biodiversity the event is celebrating. This is in clear contradiction of New Scientist magazine's professed position on climate change. Further browsing reveals BAE Systems as another major sponsor, one sure to raise eyebrows among anyone aware of this arms company's contribution to the ongoing tragedy in Yemen.
We have joined with other campaign groups and organisations to oppose these sponsorship deals, with a joint statement below and a petitionwhich you can sign and share, calling on New Scientist to adopt an ethical sponsorship policy for future events, including avoiding companies whose core business exacerbates conflict or climate change.
And if you're around this Thursday morning, do join us as the exhibition opens. Facebook event
Thanks for your support!
Claire
"This Thursday, 'New Scientist Live' will open at London's ExCel Centre, described excitingly by its organisers as 'a festival of ideas and discovery'. But New Scientist has had a particularly bad idea already – the festival will be prominently sponsored by Shell, a major oil company that has funded attempts to undermine climate science, and BAE Systems, an arms company that willingly sells weapons to repressive regimes. By associating their brands with this family-friendly event, these irresponsible companies will deflect attention from their many environmental and human rights impacts around the world.
With no hint of irony, Shell will sponsor the 'Earth Zone', attaching its brand to discussions about climate change. Meanwhile, it is out exploring for new sources of oil and gas around the world – fossil fuels that we can't afford to burn if we are to prevent devastating climate change. And BAE Systems will be branding the 'Engineering Zone' and guarantees that visitors will 'learn something new and exciting'. But will they learn the reality behind this dangerous arms company, and how its weapons are playing a central role in Saudi Arabia's bombardment of Yemen? By signing these sponsorship deals, New Scientist is giving these unethical companies a social legitimacy they just don't deserve.
With big names from the fields of science, engineering and the arts set to appear – from astronaut Tim Peake to author Margaret Atwood – Shell and BAE Systems are set to clean-up their brands by buying into the reputation of others. In a world facing record-breaking extreme weather and numerous wars, it is essential that major corporations that help fuel this destruction and profit from conflict and repression are not allowed to hide behind the positive reputation of science. New Scientist should take a stand and cut its ties to these sponsors."
Art Not Oil
Campaign Against Arms Trade
Campaign against Climate Change
Medact
Scientists for Global Responsibility
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