Clean is a better brand word for people than green. Green is a little too granola. Who can argue with clean? The Obama people think clean coal is good for America. But is coal green? What do you think? No way according to Robert F Kennedy Jr. who represents Riverkeeper who says, “Clean coal is a dirty lie.” Al Gore says, “Clean coal is like healthy cigarettes…There ARE no clean coal plants. Zero” But the coal industry has gotten way out in front with the clean message. It’s no wonder the industry has positioned coal as clean not green. Green is owned already. Clean is a new brand.
The illustration included here is a clever parody of the now iconic Shepherd Fairy poster of Obama that just help elect the man.
The amazing Coen Brothers have produced a series of satirical ads. Check them out at http://www.ThisIsReality.org/#/?p=canary
Obama and the EPA have allowed the blasting of coal on 42 of 48 mountaintops in Virgina and Ohio. Is that green? Is it clean? These are moutaintops that are not going to grow back. They call it surface mining. It’s not sustainable!
This is the thing about branding. It has to be authentic. Otherwise it gets ripped to shreds as we are seeing here.
And this is the thing about euphonisms. They are meant to distract us from the truth. This is a whole 25 years AFTER Orwell’s 1984.
2009: time to pay attention!
3 Comments
Even though it’s copying one of the most iconic graphically styled images right now, it’s effective. Do you know where I can get a copy of that poster?
While the “Green” brand may be already owned, Big Coal knows no bounds. I’ve seen billboards in PA with the message that reads: “Welcome to Coal Country. COAL. Pennsylvania’s #1 fuel for Electricity. NOW CLEAN and GREEN with New Technologies”.
Check one out here:
http://cleannrg.blogspot.com/2008/07/coal-power-clean-and-green.html
NO! Only found low res online. If you find one, let me know.