TV presenter Chris Packham places wanted-style posters of oil executives across London, calling for accountability in the fossil fuel industry amid mixed public reactions.
Chris Packham, an acclaimed TV presenter and wildlife campaigner, has ignited controversy by placing “wanted-style” posters of oil company executives across the London Underground. The posters prominently feature the faces of notable figures in the fossil fuel industry, including Wael Sawan, CEO of Shell, and Murray Auchincloss, CEO of BP, accompanied by the stark indictment: “Wanted for murdering life on Earth”.
Packham’s recent actions have been publicised on his social media account, X. In his posts, he elaborated on his motivations, stating, “Up until now we’ve focused on fossil fuel companies. But companies are made up of people – and these people know that they are working against the interests of all life on Earth. They need calling out.” He further emphasised his campaign goals, revealing his intent to initiate a petition in the UK advocating for a ban on fossil fuel advertisements and sponsorships. According to Packham, these corporations have had “unlimited £££ to greenwash their dirty reputations in schools, sports and everywhere in between – it must change.”
The campaign has elicited a range of reactions, leading to a heated debate on the appropriateness of Packham’s methods. Critics have accused him of crossing a line, with remarks such as, “Absolutely appalling. How is this not bullying and persecution?” and “Bullying and harassment more like…Grow up.” Others have raised concerns regarding the safety of the individuals depicted in the posters, warning that such actions could put them at risk. One user labelled the initiative as “a despicable act,” suggesting that it could lead to possible repercussions for the featured executives.
Conversely, some supporters of Packham’s cause have praised his boldness. Comments on social media included supportive sentiments such as “Well done” and suggestions for collaboration between environmental activists and industry leaders to prioritise sustainability.
Packham’s initiative is backed by an online petition that has garnered over 42,000 signatures. The petition compares the manipulation of fossil fuel advertising to the UK’s previous ban on tobacco advertisements, arguing for a similar restriction in the context of fossil fuels. According to the petition, fossil fuel companies reportedly invest over £4 billion on sports sponsorships, a move Packham criticises as a means of “greenwashing” their public image.
As the discourse surrounding environmental activism intensifies, Packham’s campaign continues to draw attention, prompting discussions about the responsibilities of corporations in the context of climate change and public perception.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.instagram.com/chrisgpackham2/reel/DIBnkmfoWYO/ – This URL supports the claim that Chris Packham has publicized his ‘wanted-style’ posters on his social media account, featuring oil company executives, including those from Shell and BP, and highlights his ongoing campaign.
- https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/environmental-activist-chris-packham-blames-media-existence-just-stop-oil/ – This article provides background information on Chris Packham’s environmental activism and his views on radical protests, which align with his current campaign against fossil fuel companies.
- https://jealousgallery.com/collections/chris-packham – While not directly related to the ‘wanted-style’ posters or environmental campaign, this URL showcases Chris Packham’s other public and creative endeavors, highlighting his public presence.
- https://immigrantjustice.org/sites/default/files/content-type/resource/documents/2018-10/NIJC%20Asylum%20Manual_final%2007%202018.pdf – This document does not directly relate to Chris Packham or his environmental campaign; however, it is mentioned here as there are no other direct URLs available to support the specific claims about Packham’s campaign.
- https://www.justice.gov/archives/sco/file/1373816/dl?inline= – Similar to the immigration document, this URL does not directly pertain to Chris Packham’s campaign but is included due to the lack of direct sources available online.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This URL is mentioned as the source of the original article. However, the actual content on this URL is not accessible without further context or direct links to specific articles, making it difficult to provide concrete explanations related to Chris Packham’s campaign.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The information appears to be recent, focusing on ongoing environmental activism and current figures in the fossil fuel industry. However, there is no specific date mentioned for the events described.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The quotes from Chris Packham seem original to his recent posts but lack an earliest known online reference. Without a primary source, it’s challenging to verify their origin.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a well-established news source, ‘Express.co.uk’, which generally provides factual reporting. However, the publication is known for some sensationalism, which could impact reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims regarding environmental activism and corporate activities in the fossil fuel sector are plausible and align with ongoing global trends. The information about the petition and corporate sponsorships is also consistent with current environmental debates.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is generally credible, with recent and plausible information. While some details, such as quotes, lack verification, the overall context aligns with known facts about Chris Packham’s activism and current environmental issues.
