In a surprising turn of events, readers of The Maritime Executive magazine encountered a fictional advertisement from a non-existent company, GreenCurrent Group, which purports to provide marketing services for LNG (liquefied natural gas) operators and energy providers. This ad, found on page 15, invites maritime and energy executives to scan a QR code that leads to a humorous video featuring a character named “Scrubby Greenwash.”

The Yes Men: Activism through Satire

This initiative is the latest endeavor of The Yes Men, an activist group known for their satirical take on corporate practices since 1996. The group’s co-founder, Natalie Whiteman, expressed their intention behind this ad: “We are hoping Maritime Executive’s readership are reminded that investing in a fuel that will expedite the rapid decline of life on the planet is not a good look (or a good investment).”

Renowned for their bold pranks that shed light on social and corporate injustices, The Yes Men previously gained notoriety for creating a fake World Trade Organization website that led to an actual invitation to a conference.

A Closer Look at Scrubby Greenwash

In the ad, “Scrubby Greenwash,” a giant green anthropomorphic sponge, promises to “scrub, scrub, scrub sad facts away.” This character symbolizes the broader issue of greenwashing, where companies attempt to sanitize their image while misrepresenting their environmental impact.

Whiteman elaborated on the creation of Scrubby, stating that “Greenwashing is the process of scrubbing inconvenient facts and science away to protect the reputation of a company.” Through this character, the activists aim to highlight the dangerous misconceptions surrounding LNG.

Concerns Surrounding LNG

As The Yes Men spotlight the LNG industry, they highlight its significant environmental concerns, particularly its potent greenhouse gas emissions. “LNG is a massive issue,” Whiteman noted, emphasizing that methane, a primary component of LNG, is significantly more harmful than CO2, with a warming capacity up to 80 times greater.

They argue that major corporations are falsely marketing LNG as a clean energy solution, distracting from its true impact. Recently, the group engaged in a stunt at the World LNG Summit in Berlin, masquerading as corporate executives to deliver their message firsthand.

Targeting Industry Standards

The Yes Men’s latest campaign is strategic in targeting both the shipping and LNG sectors, directly confronting organizations like Royal Caribbean that promote LNG as a sustainable fuel option. Whiteman criticized the industry’s attempts to market their LNG-powered vessels as environmentally friendly, calling such representations “a criminal untruth.”

As global demands for energy shift, activists urge industry leaders to reconsider the long-term viability of LNG. “We need industry leaders, energy producers, and all players across the supply chain to reject LNG as a climate solution. It has proven to be anything but,” stated Whiteman.