Environmental Activists Protest Over the London 2012 “Worst Corporate Sponsors” Choices

Activists are stepping up their campaign against the London 2012 corporate sponsors’ dubious environmental credentials. They accuse the companies of paying for their “green” status.

Greenwash Gold Campaign

Environmental protesters and human rights activists have launched a new campaign entitled Greenwash Gold.

The initiative features three animated films, calling for the public to vote for the London Games’ “worst corporate sponsor”.

London has dubbed the Games as the “greenest ever”, but the involvement of companies such as Dow Chemicals, BP, Coca Cola and McDonald’s has drawn activists’ ire.

Their multimillion-pound sponsorship of the sports event wins them the title of “sustainable partners”, Activist groups have branded this as an attempt to “greenwash” past unethical activities.

The London authorities have said that people have a right to protest peacefully, but emphasize a no-tolerance attitude to disruption of the Games.

Bhopal chemical disaster

Indian Protesters Against Dow Chemicals Sponsorship in London 2012

In 2001, Dow Chemicals purchased Union Carbine, the company responsible for the Bhopal chemical disaster in 1981 that killed 25,000 people in rural India.

Chemical fallout still affects the Bhopal region, with calls from the Indian government for Dow to implement a clean-up operation. (ARL)