Clean Creatives SA Engages the Durban Creative and PR Industry

DURBAN, 17 February 2023 by Stephen Horn

It was great to go back to my hometown to connect with the Durban creative and PR community for Clean Creatives. Durban is a city which faced devastating floods last year which caused over 450 deaths and 40,000 people to be displaced, so many people have a visceral, personal connection to the climate crisis. Unfortunately the fossil fuel industry is planning ever more expansion of fossil fuel extraction across the world, including in South Africa, and misleading the public with deceptive greenwashing and climate misinformation. As NASA scientist Peter Kalmus says, we need to get into climate emergency mode, and that means cutting ties with the fossil fuel industry as quickly as possible, while ensuring that transition is just.We also were joined by groundWork director and veteran environmental activist, Bobby Peek. Bobby has been working with communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis, those affected by fossil fuel industry pollution and displacement, for years. He gave a great insight into the current global state of affairs in climate politics and the on the ground realities for the creative and communications professionals present. It was so encouraging that several folks who attended the session have signed our pledge committing to declining work with climate polluters. And the more creatives we get on board, the more we shift the narrative. Creatives and communication professionals have this superpower.

Thanks to Rory Rieseberg from Take Note Reputation Management and Sharlene Versfeld (See her agency - now a Clean Creatives pledge signer - here) for helping me set up this event and Janelle Barnard from Love Africa Marketing for snapping this pic of me in presentation mode!

Based in Durban and keen to connect to fellow Durban clean creatives? Get in touch and we will connect you. Email stephen[at]fossilfreesa.org.za