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Pathways Alliance's Science Fair Sponsorship Raises Red Flags over Industry's Influence on Children's Education

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As part of its efforts to gain social license and improve its public image, the Tar sands advocacy group Pathways Alliance, which represents six Canadian fossil fuel producers, has been sponsoring school science fairs across the country. This initiative has raised concerns among environmentalists, who question the ethics of an oil industry lobby group participating in science fairs for children, particularly given the industry's disregard for the scientific consensus on climate change.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pathways Alliance, a Tar sands advocacy group, has been sponsoring school science fairs in Canada, raising concerns over the industry's influence on children's education.
  • The organization, which represents six Canadian fossil fuel producers, has a history of "greenwashing" and promoting false solutions to environmental problems.
  • Pathways Alliance's innovation arm, COSIA, has been involved in nine science fairs and science Olympics throughout Alberta in 2024, and sponsored 30 students' travel to participate in a national science fair in Ottawa in May 2024.
  • A report by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) found that nearly 40 oil and gas companies, as well as a dozen industry groups, are involved in climate education by supplying materials directly to schools, through government partnerships, or by funding third-party suppliers of materials to schools.
  • The fossil fuel sector's influence includes creating curricula, developing films marketed as educational resources, and sponsoring field trips and conferences.
  • Experts have criticized Pathways Alliance's sponsorship of science fairs, noting that it is a PR tactic to improve the industry's public image and gain social acceptability.

Statistics:

  • 40 oil and gas companies and a dozen industry groups are involved in climate education in Canada.
  • COSIA has been involved in 9 science fairs and science Olympics in Alberta in 2024.
  • Students sponsored by Pathways Alliance traveled to participate in a national science fair in Ottawa in May 2024.
  • The Tar sands-related tailings ponds in Canada contain roughly 1.4 trillion liters of toxic water.
  • Federal regulations on releasing water from tailings ponds into freshwater rivers are expected to be released this year.
  • The David Suzuki Foundation estimates that CCUS has consistently failed to deliver on meaningfully reducing emissions.

Sources:

  • DeSmog
  • Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) report: "Polluting Education: The Influence of Fossil Fuels on Children's Education in Canada"
  • Greenpeace Canada statement to DeSmog
  • Environmental Defence statement to DeSmog
  • 2024 report in the Narwhal: "Fossil Fuel Sponsorship in Winter Festivals"
  • 2021 CBC News article: "Canada's tarsands-related tailings ponds contain 1.4 trillion liters of toxic water"
  • DeSmog report: "Revealed: Now There's Proof That the Fossil Fuel Industry Uses Cultural Sponsorships to Block Climate Action"

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