The fossil fuel industry is replaying its 2022 war playbook |
A fire engulfs Tehran’s Shahran oil depot after Israeli airstrikes hit the facility. Photo courtesy OSINTtechnical/X.
“As severe energy shortages mount in Europe, Canada’s role as a progressive, reliable global energy supplier could be part of the energy solution, a Canadian grassroots coalition spokesperson says.”
“Canada’s status as a politically-reliable source of fuel makes it an attractive target for investment to meet future energy needs.”
“Canada is among leaders in providing reliable energy… Canada stands out more than ever as a partner of choice for Europe; and Europe has every interest in signing long-term contracts and investing massively in Canada.”
These statements might sound like they were made this week. But they’re from 2022, when the fossil fuel industry launched a well-coordinated communications and influence campaign that would use Russia’s war in Ukraine to effectively destroy the Western climate movement.
The industry saw the 2014 annexation of Crimea and its impacts on European energy markets and politics as a missed opportunity, and they spent the following decade ensuring they were prepared for the next crisis. When Russia launched the war, they were ready for it, and they were able to quickly spread a coordinated message across their influence networks, including through media, think tanks, trade associations, and direct access to politicians.
In the US, the fossil fuel industry and the right launched a campaign blaming “Biden’s green agenda” and calling for a radical expansion of fossil fuel production. In British Columbia, our two dominant parties fought on the floor of the legislature over who supported the LNG industry more aggressively. In Alberta, Premier Jason Kenney called for expanding oil production with the slogan, “Alberta oil is better than dictator oil.” In Newfoundland........