Ben & Jerry's campaign propagated by WWF has not gone over well with Andrew Powell, Environment Minister in Queensland, Australia.
He said, "Another company has signed up to the campaign of lies and deceit that's been propagated by WWF." He thinks that Ben & Jerry's is damaging the Reef's reputation and hurting jobs and hurting the tourism there.
"If you understand the facts, you'd want to be boycotting Ben and Jerry's."
Powell said he would write to Unilever, Ben & Jerry's parent company about the matter and brief it about the truth.
Recently Ben & Jerry's started a roap trip in Australia giving away free ice cream and telling people about their concerns.
They said that the Reef could be in danger because of dredging and dumping, shipping highways and mega-ports. WWF thinks that spoil from 40km away might get caught in currents, poison, or smother reefs.
"It threatens the health of one of Australia's most iconic treasures," said Kalli Swaik, Ben & Jerry's Australia brand manager.
CEO Dermot O'Gorman said, "Ben & Jerry's' tour is a timely reminder that the world expects the Queensland and Australian governments to lift their game."
It sounds like Queensland should take extreme caution when performing this action to preserve the Reef, but, according to Powell, Ben & Jerry's might need to do more research on the matter before campaigning. But, since they're a pretty large company, one would think they would have really thought about this before giving out free ice cream and getting some guy in a scuba suit to advertise! Unilever, Ben & Jerry's parent company, seems like the company Powell is targeting.
Source: www.news.com.au/national/queensland/queensland-government-urges-boycott-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream-over-wwf-propaganda-on-great-barrier-reef/story-fnii5v6w-1226898567920
I think it was a bit much for Ben and Jerry's to do those actions in Australia, but if they really are wrong, then Powell really doesn't need to worry. Ice cream is an evil way to brainwash though(and Oh so sweet)
ReplyDeleteI think both sides are at fault here. Ben & Jerry's needs to do more research, and Powell needs to make sure he keeps the reef cleaner. (Also, I wonder what the scuba diver was thinking when they asked him to wear a cow suit!)
ReplyDeleteI think that Ben and Jerry's must have some pretty hard evidence to start a campaign like that. Maybe the Australian's are missing something!
ReplyDeleteFor once the Australians mess up. That's a s
ReplyDeletesurprise
ReplyDeleteAt least B&J's trying to help out.
ReplyDeleteBen and Jerry are crazy, but oh do I love them!
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