[176] Badvertising – with Leo Murray

A Sustainable Life with Jen Gale

Advertising.
It's all around us. Persuading us to buy stuff we didn't know we wanted, telling us how much happier/more popular/better our lives will be with the latest/newest whatever it is.
Most of think that we're immune to it, but studies show just how insidious and manipulative it is, and how it influences our brains at a deep level. Which perhaps wouldn't really matter if we weren't in the grips of climate and ecological emergencies driven by our consumption of the very stuff being advertised to us.
Leo Murray is the co-founder and director of innovation at climate charity Possible, and the co-author of Badvertising - a book that is "raising the alarm on an industry that is making us both unhealthy and unhappy, and that is driving the planet to the precipice of environmental collapse in the process."
I've only read the first chapter of the book but already it's eye opening and shocking - Jeremy Vine's review of the book says "..if you thought your brain was being gently warmed by the advertising industry, read this book and you'll realise it's being fried'.
Leo is amazing and there is so much I wanted to chat to him about, as you can probably tell from the interview! We veered from chatting about some of the work that Possible is doing, to Badvertising and back again, so apologies in advance for my inability to keep on track - I hope you'll find it all interesting stuff!

Leo Murray

GOOD NEWS!
In the new Good News section after the main interview, I share some of the good climate news happening (because there is some, I promise!). Here's this weeks pick:

• The USA (finally) agreed to quit coal (Positive News)
• Wales puts bugs on the map (Positive News)
• And much closer to home...
  I spent Monday in Weston-Super-Mare with 200 other people at the biggest ever in-person Carbon Literacy training. The day was organised by North Somerset Council, and I was blown away not only by their ambition to do it, AND their ability to pull it off! I was asked to do a guest speaker slot and it was an amazing experience, seeing so many people in one place, from all kinds of different businesses and organisations of all sizes, gathered together to learn and to take action. And this training was part of a wider 'Carbon Literacy Action Day' which saw over 1000 people taking part in Carbon Literacy training all around the world. It was incredible to be a part of, and a reminder that there are so many people and businesses out there taking really positive steps to reduce their emissions and be part of the solution!
  (If you're interested in Carbon Literacy training for 2024 - there are dates on the website here)
  

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LISTEN...

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USEFUL LINKS:

• Leo Murray
  - On Twitter
  - On Linked In
• Possible
  - Website
  - Facebook
  - Instagram
  - Twitter
  - Frequent flyer levy campaign
• Badvertising
  - Website
  - Book (shown on Wob as a more ethical alternative to Amazon!)
  - Write to your local council
• First transatlantic flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel
• Nearly half the flights we take are unnecessary
• Climate equality: A planet for the 99%
• Advertising Standards Authority Green Claims Code
• SUV ad banned
• Bite Back
• Ad Free Cities
• Carbon Literacy training
• The Sustainable(ish) Clubhouse
• Crap-free Christmas course
  

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I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one.
Has this made you more aware of the advertising around you and how it might be affecting you, your family and community, and the wider world?
Will you be signing the Frequent Flyer Levy petition, or e-mailing your council?
Do let me know in the comments!

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