This was published 1 year ago
Opinion
Western Australia’s arts and sports must embrace fossil fuel-free future
Carmen Lawrence
Academic, former WA premierAs a former premier of Western Australia and a staunch advocate for arts and sports, I am convinced that our relationship with the fossil fuel industry needs a radical shift.
Woodside, Chevron, and other fossil fuel corporations have played a substantial role in our state’s economic growth and international trade in years gone by. But their expansion has come at an undeniable cost to our environment and health, and can no longer continue.
The influence of these corporations spreads deep into our cultural and sports sectors. Even though they employ relatively few people, they have a surprising level of influence over our state’s decision-making.
Take the frequent funding they have provided for various cultural events and organisations, such as Artrage, a West Australian arts and cultural organisation involved in the Perth fringe festival, whose partnership with Woodside has now been cancelled, and WA Day festival, and numerous sporting teams, including the Fremantle Dockers. These sponsorships may appear to be about backing our local athletes and creatives, but these corporations need the sponsorship deals more than the sports or arts bodies do. The amount of money provided is a tiny fraction of the corporations’ profits, and it’s just fairy dust designed to make them look good.
There is precedent for action. We’ve been in a similar situation before with the tobacco industry. By establishing a fund derived from tobacco taxes, we successfully replaced tobacco sponsorship in sports organisations, enabling us to remove harmful branding and promote healthier alternatives instead.
Some artists and sportspeople are trying to distance themselves from fossil fuel funding, but it’s challenging. They need backing from their boards and governments to replace this funding.
The Climate Council’s new code Calling Time, launched this week, gives a clear plan for our arts and sports institutions to break free from fossil fuel companies. By adopting this code, they can refocus on values we all hold dear: health, safety, and environmental sustainability.
Organisations need to seek out alternative sources of funding that align with our shared commitment to a safe and sustainable future. Where clubs and organisations currently depend on fossil fuel funding, other clean industry businesses – and maybe even governments – can step up to provide alternatives.
Our environment is under severe stress, and Western Australia is feeling the effects keenly.
Our Ningaloo Reef is at significant risk from warming oceans. Prolonged heat waves, droughts, and devastating wildfires and flooding events threaten our biodiversity and damage our health and well-being.
The impacts of climate change are palpable, from the declining productivity in the agricultural sector and the record-breaking heat in early 2022, to the heavy costs incurred due to extreme weather events like the recent floods in the Kimberley. We can no longer justify accepting sponsorship from industries contributing to these issues.
The fossil fuel industry may be part of our past, but it should not be permitted to shape our future. We must look beyond these existing sponsors and uncover more sustainable alternatives, whether growing renewable energy companies, ethically conscious businesses, or green initiatives.
We all cherish our arts and sports organisations. It’s time for them to embrace a greener future by cutting ties with fossil fuel companies. What we do now will send a message to future generations. Let’s make sure it’s the right one.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.