CAMPAIGN FOR A SAFE AND HEALTHY CALIFORNIA LAUNCHES NEW AD IN RESPONSE TO BIG OIL’S DISINFORMATION PLAYBOOK
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California announced the launch of a new seven-figure ad campaign in response to Big Oil’s disinformation playbook and the industry’s own seven-figure ad blitz to avoid accountability in the state.
The ad, titled “Cost” corrects misleading information spread by oil companies’ in their efforts to shift the blame for high gas prices onto California’s climate laws.
The truth? Oil corporations are raking in record profits, pushing for taxpayer bailouts, and lobbying to weaken public health protections. Meanwhile, Californians are paying the price – not only at the pump, but through devastating wildfires, deadly heat, and flooding fueled by fossil fuel pollution. As California grapples with painful budget cuts in the wake of our worst climate disaster, the oil industry is spending millions to protect their bottom line – not our communities.
This new ad is part of a broader campaign to push back on Big Oil’s lies and make polluters pay for the damage they’ve caused. It lifts up the public’s demand for accountability and highlights critical solutions like the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act, which would require fossil fuel companies to cover the costs of rebuilding and climate adaptation – not California taxpayers.
A few quick facts:
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In Q1 of this year alone, the fossil fuel industry spent $9 million lobbying in California – on pace to match their record $38 million spend in 2024.
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This recent ad buy from WSPA is just the latest in a long pattern of derailing climate health action – including ads during the Paris Olympics broadcast and at the end of 2023 ahead of a big battle at the ballot on setbacks.
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A new study published in the journal Nature finds that emissions from major fossil fuel companies have caused $28 trillion in climate damages, with Chevron, formerly based in California, bearing responsibility for up to $3.6 trillion in damages.
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In light of all this, Californians continue to support stronger protections. Gov. Newsom has taken steps to rein in oil company price gouging and Big Oil dropped the referendum in a victory for environmental justice communities fighting to end drilling near homes and schools.
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Press Contact:Blake Marquez Blake@sunstonestrategies.org