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National Observer
5 days ago
- Business
- National Observer
Oil industry funded Girl Scouts and British Museum to boost image, evidence suggests
This story was originally published by The Guardian and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration Oil interests have funded cultural institutions such as museums, youth organizations and athletic groups in recent years, new research shows, in what appears to be a public relations effort to boost their image amid growing public awareness of the climate crisis. Top US fossil fuel lobby group the American Petroleum Institute (API) sponsored a 2017 workshop for the Pennsylvania Girl Scouts, featuring 'activities that mimicked work in the energy industry'. Energy giant BP in 2016 sponsored Washington DC's National Gallery of Art and continues to fund the British Museum in London. And in 2019, Shell sponsored the Houston Open golf event for the 26th time. The new evidence of sponsorships was found in internal communications from 2015 to 2021 subpoenaed from big oil via a US congressional investigation last year. They were uncovered by Rebecca John, a researcher at the Climate Investigations Center, and published in the climate outlet DeSmog. The documents also shed light on the particular value the companies see in the partnerships. In a 2017 email, for instance, the then CEO of API said the Girl Scouts sponsorship came as part of an effort to partner with 'nontraditional local allies', which he described as 'some of the best and most influential voices with targeted policymakers on industry issues' who can help the lobby group overcome 'policy issues'. API has a large lobbying presence in Pennsylvania, which is the country's second-largest gas producer. The Guardian has asked API, BP and Shell for comment. API states that it sponsors cultural endeavors because 'we are a principles-based organization.' The Guardian has also sought comment from the Girl Scouts, the British Museum, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. The British Museum has previously defended its partnership with BP, including after the company scaled back its climate goals this past February. The museum needs 'corporate and private donations from companies like BP to ensure that the magnificent collection stays on display to the public for centuries to come', a spokesperson told the Guardian at the time. The documents indicate that in Shell's 2020 ' reputation plan ' it said it would 'secure partnerships with credible external influencers' in an effort to overcome 'low credibility and trust' in the company. The oil giant has partnered with a wide variety of major museums, sporting events, concert halls and other arts and cultural institutions. It could not be reached for comment, but its spokespeople previously said institutions can maintain their freedom even as they receive funding from Shell. A 2017 internal memo from BP America says the relationships could provide a shield from 'threats to BP's reputation', including 'overall negative sentiment about the oil and gas industry' and the 'policy and politics of climate change'. A separate 2016 document assessing the company's 'position' instructed staff to emphasize the message that more than 50 million people in the UK had 'engaged with a BP-supported activity' due to its funding of institutions such as the British Museum and Royal Shakespeare Company. The revelations come as activists have increasingly pressured arts and cultural institutions to cut ties with fossil fuel interests. The Royal Shakespeare Company, for instance, ended its BP partnership in 2019 after eight years, following months of protests over the partnership. At the time, BP said it was 'disappointed and dismayed' by the decision. The UK's National Portrait Gallery also ended a partnership with BP in 2022 after numerous protests against big oil's involvement in the arts. The museum's director said the firm's funding 'fostered creativity'. DeSmog found evidence of dozens of other cultural sponsorships from the energy companies between 2015 and 2021, including of libraries, music festivals, gender justice initiatives and theaters. There have been hundreds of similar partnerships through history, from a children's radio show funded by Standard Oil in the 1930s, to the current sponsorship of a media podcast by BP. The relationships illustrate a decades-long industry strategy known as 'affinity of purpose advertising', said Robert Brulle, an environmental sociologist at Brown University. The term was coined by Herbert Schmertz, the late executive of Mobil Oil (now ExxonMobil). 'It's the idea that if a corporation is associated with a high-value, cultural activity that prestige rubs off on the corporation,' said Brulle. In one well-known historical example, Mobil in the 1970s began sponsoring the television drama series Masterpiece Theater. 'Apparently this works quite well,' said Brulle, noting that Mobil evaluated the approach in a 1980 study and decided it was worthwhile. 'It [has] now become a commonplace activity to burnish their corporate reputation and goodwill by sponsoring these types of cultural activities.'
Business Mayor
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Oil industry funded Girl Scouts and British Museum to boost image, evidence suggests
Oil interests have funded cultural institutions such as museums, youth organizations and athletic groups in recent years, new research shows, in what appears to be a public relations effort to boost their image amid growing public awareness of the climate crisis. Top US fossil fuel lobby group the American Petroleum Institute (API) sponsored a 2017 workshop for the Pennsylvania Girl Scouts, featuring 'activities that mimicked work in the energy industry'. Energy giant BP in 2016 sponsored Washington DC's National Gallery of Art and continues to fund the British Museum in London. And in 2019, Shell sponsored the golf event the Houston Open for the 26th time. The new evidence of sponsorships were found in internal communications from 2015 to 2021 subpoenaed from big oil via a US Congressional investigation last year. They were uncovered by Rebecca John, a researcher at the Climate Investigations Center, and published in the climate outlet DeSmog. The documents also shed light on the particular value the companies see in the partnerships. In a 2017 email, for instance, the then CEO of API said the Girl Scouts sponsorship came as part of an effort to partner with 'nontraditional local allies', which he described as 'some of the best and most influential voices with targeted policymakers on industry issues' who can help the lobby group overcome 'policy issues'. API has a large lobbying presence in Pennsylvania, which is the country's second-largest gas producer. The Guardian has asked API, BP and Shell for comment. API states that it sponsors cultural endeavors because 'we are a principles-based organization.' The Guardian also has sought comment from the Girl Scouts, the British Museum, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. The British Museum has previously defended its partnership with BP, including after the company scaled back its climate goals this past February. The museum needs 'corporate and private donations from companies like BP to ensure that the magnificent collection stays on display to the public for centuries to come', a spokesperson told the Guardian at the time. The documents indicate that in Shell's 2020 'reputation plan' it said it would 'secure partnerships with credible external influencers' in an effort to overcome 'low credibility and trust' in the company. The oil giant has partnered with a wide variety of major museums, sporting events, concert halls and other arts and cultural institutions. It could not be reached for comment, but its spokespeople previously said institutions can maintain their freedom even as they receive funding from Shell. A 2017 internal memo from BP America says the relationships could provide a shield from 'threats to BP's reputation', including 'overall negative sentiment about the oil and gas industry' and the 'policy and politics of climate change'. A separate 2016 document assessing the company's 'position' instructed staff to emphasize the message that more than 50 million people in the UK had 'engaged with a BP-supported activity' due to its funding of institutions such as the British Museum and Royal Shakespeare Company. The revelations come as activists have increasingly pressured arts and cultural institutions to cut ties with fossil fuel interests. The Royal Shakespeare Company, for instance, ended its BP partnership in 2019 after eight years, following months of protests over the partnership. At the time, BP said it was 'disappointed and dismayed' by the decision. skip past newsletter promotion Get the most important US headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion The UK's National Portrait Gallery also ended a partnership with BP in 2022 after numerous protests against big oil's involvement in the arts. The museum's director said the firm's funding 'fostered creativity'. DeSmog found evidence of dozens of other cultural sponsorships from the energy companies between 2015 and 2021, including of libraries, music festivals, gender justice initiatives and theaters. There have been hundreds of similar partnerships through history, from a children's radio show funded by Standard Oil in the 1930s, to the current sponsorship of a media podcast by BP. The relationships illustrate a decades-long industry strategy known as 'affinity of purpose advertising', said Robert Brulle, an environmental sociologist at Brown University. The term was coined by Herbert Schmertz, the late executive of Mobil Oil (now ExxonMobil). 'It's the idea that if a corporation is associated with a high value, cultural activity that prestige rubs off on the corporation,' said Brulle. In one well-known historical example, Mobil in the 1970s began sponsoring the television drama series Masterpiece Theater. 'Apparently this works quite well,' said Brulle, noting that Mobil evaluated the approach in a 1980 study and decided it was worthwhile. 'It [has] now become a commonplace activity to burnish their corporate reputation and goodwill by sponsoring these types of cultural activities.'
Newsweek
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
PGA Championship: Turtles Damage Bunker, Go Viral Saving Gerard's Day
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Golf courses have long been a playground for reptiles, offering them ample space to explore. In March, during the Houston Open, cameras hilariously captured a caddie removing a turtle from the course—while it peed. But it seems like turtles weren't done making their presence felt in professional golf, as they turned heads again, this time at the PGA Championship's Quail Hollow. As the second major of the season kicked off with soft greens, Kardashian drama and 'mud ball' controversy, two uninvited visitors added another layer of drama to the event. The turtles again! CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: A common snapping turtle sits on the 15th hole fairway during the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 15, 2025 in Charlotte,... CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: A common snapping turtle sits on the 15th hole fairway during the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 15, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by) More Getty Images The first turtle made its appearance when PGA Tour's Ryan Gerard managed to salvage his par at the 14th hole. Meanwhile, the second turtle proved to be far more stubborn, delaying the first round after wreaking havoc in a bunker on the same hole. There was a literaly delay in play as tournament organizers were forced to address the wrecked bunker left behind by one of the turtles. Despite the disruptions, the first shelled intruder ended up playing an indirect role in saving the day for one of the tournament's top contenders. Turtle Saves Ryan Gerard's Round at Quail Hollow Playing in a major championship is the pinnacle for many golfers, and for Ryan Gerard, it was no different. The PGA Tour pro found himself in the top two on the PGA Championship leaderboard, living out a dream on home turf. "It's kind of always been a dream to play a major championship in my home state." "I have a lot of fond memories of Quail Hollow and went out there and played really solid for almost the entire day, and I'm really happy with how everything went," Gerard reflected after stunning first round of 5-under-par. But beyond his stellar performance, an unexpected guest, 'a snapping turtle' played a role he will never forget. Turtle to the rescue 💀 — Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) May 15, 2025 With six birdies and an eagle, Gerard was putting on a show. But as he approached the 14th hole, his momentum appeared as though it would come to an end. His chip shot rolled well past the hole and off the green. It had enough speed that the ball may have continued into the water, if not for the turtle, who was there to save the day. As TV cameras zoomed in to locate his ball, a small head poked out from the grass. However, former PGA Champion Rich Beem, who was sharing broadcasting duties then, quickly corrected the assumption. "That's a snapping turtle." "That will rip your finger off," he added. The turtle briefly examined the course before moving back to the lake. Interestingly, it also earned a warm round of applause from spectators. Shortly after, Gerard pulled off an eagle on the 566-yard 15th hole, solidifying his position at the top of the leaderboard—something big names like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, and Phil Mickelson failed to do. More Golf: Keegan Bradley's Ryder Cup Plan to Coerce Team USA Members Revealed
Scottish Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Moment stars at USPGA Championship are delayed by a TURTLE as it scampers across green at Quail Hollow
It's not the first time a turtle has caused carnage this year SHELL SHOCK Moment stars at USPGA Championship are delayed by a TURTLE as it scampers across green at Quail Hollow PLAY was temporarily halted at the USPGA Championship after a TURTLE invaded the green. American Ryan Gerard got a shock as he chipped into the 14th at Quail Hollow on Thursday. Advertisement 2 A turtle dashed across the green during USPGA Championship action on Thursday Credit: @SkySportsGolf 2 Staff were forced to fix the bunker after the turtle took up residence Credit: AP Gerard saw his approach shot to the green roll away into the bunker. And as TV cameras panned to find his ball, a small head was seen poking out from the grass. Sky Sports commentator Henni Zuel initially thought the animal was a snake. But former PGA champ Rich Beem quipped: "That's a snapping turtle! Advertisement READ MORE ON GOLF TEE-RIFIC Rory McIlroy worth £260m as Sunday Times Rich List sees golf icon take top spot "That will rip your finger off." Jason Dufner watched on bemused as the turtle began to scamper across the green. It showed off a surprising turn of pace as it made a dash for the water. And the reptile even received a warm round of applause from the watching spectators as it returned to the lake. Advertisement BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK One fan laughed on X: "Notice he's a lot faster than the golfers." Another wrote: "I love this sport." Turtle pees all over golf course as caddie carries it off the green at Houston Open It's not the first time a turtle has caused carnage on the links this year. Advertisement During March's Houston Open, a caddie picked up a turtle to remove it from the green. The animal started to urinate an excessive amount of waste while the caddie dashed to move it to a safe distance. It was a day to remember for Jhonattan Vegas on Thursday, with the Venezuelan taking the clubhouse lead in North Carolina. Vegas shot a classy 64, including five birdies on the back nine. Advertisement He leads by two shots from Gerard and Aussie Cameron Davies.
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Moment stars at USPGA Championship are delayed by a TURTLE as it scampers across green at Quail Hollow
PLAY was temporarily halted at the USPGA Championship after a TURTLE invaded the green. American 2 A turtle dashed across the green during USPGA Championship action on Thursday Credit: @SkySportsGolf 2 Staff were forced to fix the bunker after the turtle took up residence Credit: AP Gerard saw his approach shot to the green roll away into the bunker. And as TV cameras panned to find his ball, a small head was seen poking out from the grass. Sky Sports commentator Henni Zuel initially thought the animal was a snake. But former PGA champ Rich Beem quipped: "That's a snapping turtle! READ MORE ON GOLF "That will rip your finger off." Jason Dufner watched on bemused as the turtle began to scamper across the green. It showed off a surprising turn of pace as it made a dash for the water. And the reptile even received a warm round of applause from the watching spectators as it returned to the lake. Most read in Golf BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK One fan laughed on X: "Notice he's a lot faster than the golfers." Another wrote: "I love this sport." Turtle pees all over golf course as caddie carries it off the green at Houston Open It's not the first time a turtle has caused carnage on the links this year. During March's Houston Open, a caddie picked up a turtle to remove it from the green. The animal It was a day to remember for Jhonattan Vegas on Thursday, with the Venezuelan taking the clubhouse lead in North Carolina. Vegas shot a classy 64, including five birdies on the back nine. He leads by two shots from Gerard and Aussie Cameron Davies.
