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Loading...BP Hailed as “Sustainability Partner” in London Olympics
The 2012 London Olympics, projected to cost upwards of £24 billion, are right around the corner and they’re being called one of the most corporate Olympics in history. Some of the sponsors include McDonalds, British Petroleum (BP) and Dow Chemical and many people are not so thrilled with the lineup.
For example, BP is likely one of the least sustainable companies that exist today, yet the company is tagging itself a “sustainability partner” of the 2012 summer Olympics in a clear — and rather desperate — re-branding effort. The UK Tar Sands Network has been particularly vocal in London about BP’s global influence and recently staged an intervention at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to deliver a monologue—“To BP or Not to BP?”— urging patrons to deny BP’s sponsorship from their program in addition to raising concern about the company’s overall shady environmental practices (see video below).
BP, infamously known for the Gulf Deepwater Horizon Oil disaster of April 2010, is not often a welcome brand these days, but it appears London isn’t too concerned and the company’s stellar outreach and PR efforts are paying off. This, to many, including those living along the Gulf Coast, is simply insulting. On top of this, BP still hasn’t cleaned up the mess which completely devastated the Gulf more than two years ago.
Given the short attention span of the general public, pressing BP to clean up the disaster and not just settle for damages is critical. It’s important to also stay on top of key political figures to ensure BP follows through on its word. Currently, BP says it will pay out $7.8 billion to those impacted by the spill, but the underwater damage that’s already been done will take countless years to undo, if complete restoration can be achieved at all.
Related Stories:
Environment Beyond BP: Politics, Policy and Power
Read more: 2012 london olympics, bp, deepwater horizon oil spill, energy, fracking, natural gas, New Orleans, oil spill, olympics, tar sands, UK Tar Sands Network
Photo Credit: Keith Edkins
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249 comments
+ add your ownI have been and will continue to boycott BP. And I am calling on others to do the same. They will not be using my hard earned cash to tell their lies !
BP and sustainability? Fascinating, sustainability of what? A Partner of Pollution and Greed no doubt! The cost of the Olympics keeps skyrocketing every four years. Security is one reason but it seems to me a lot of things can be scaled down without an Epic Never Ending Rising Price Time around the games.
Scale the Olympics down where taxpayers are not burdened by a staggering debt and cost. Huge companies are always greedy but being hailed as a "Sustainability Partner" is pure fiction.
This should have read Rising Price Tag around the games referring to my comment below!
This company needs to be sued again and the money given to the environmentalist who are real and long-term environmentalist and scientists and workers who will help clean up the mess that was made. Dear Sue, who ever you are, please sue, sue and sue. Thank You.
No comment. This is sad. We need to create a way to live off the land, and have small companies, homesteads, and only medium companies. We need less government spending on those that have and only helping get the individual get started. THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL PETITIONS ALONG THESE LINES, HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES TOO BY VOLUNTEERS AND PEOPLE WHO MAKE THEIR OWN SMALL --YET IMPORTANT LIVES MEANINGFULL -- THEIR OWN WAY. STAND TOGETHER AND KEEP ON -- AS THEY MAY BE TRYING TO TEAR OUR SOLIDARITY APART -- PLEAESE WILL YOU CHOOSE TO STAND TOGETHER AS MUCH AS YOU ARE CAPABLE AND WITH THOSE WHO YOU CAN AND WILL.
When BP Shows some sustaainability responsibility, only then should they be allowed to even be considered for such a label. How ridiculous!
When BP Shows some sustaainability responsibility, only then should they be allowed to even be considered for such a label. How ridiculous!
Am I a little bit right, in thinking that these big corps. think that the general population is just plain dumb?? To have BP even be mentioned with the word 'sustainabile' makes me cringe!! Everything has to do with Huge Conglomerates and their money and how they can make more. All the caring/compassion for human and animal lives, & Mother Earth has evaporated. Never thought in all my years that I would be witness to this, and feel very sorry for the future generations.
Thanks for the post Tara.
BP? Doesn't change my view of that company at all.
"For example, BP is likely one of the least sustainable companies that exist today, yet the company is tagging itself a “sustainability partner” of the 2012 summer Olympics in a clear — and rather desperate — re-branding effort."
Argh!! That's so frustrating. The worst part about that is that it will likely work. I don't mind corporate sponsorship for the Olympics, but this, I think, is on the wrong side of the false advertising line.
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