Although the British organization which created an advertisement depicting the gruesome murder of its conservative opponents has since apologized and removed the ad from its website, American environmentalists have stayed largely quiet about the affair.
The Daily Caller asked six key environmentalist groups about the ad. Only one group, Greenpeace, responded, with a tepid denunciation the advertisement.
The advertisement depicts a series of authority figures asking crowds to participate in voluntary efforts to cut energy use. The few in the crowd who do not volunteer – including two schoolchildren — are graphically blown to pieces, with their blood and guts covering the others in the room.
“Many people found the resulting film extremely funny, but unfortunately some didn’t and we sincerely apologise to anybody we have offended,” said 10:10, the British group who created the ad.
Of the environmental organizations contacted by TheDC, only Greenpeace offered its take on the ad.
“As an organization committed to non-violence, I think you can imagine how Greenpeace views this material. At this time, the only people promoting the material are climate skeptics and think tanks funded by corporations known for lobbying against climate change legislation,” said Greenpeace spokeswoman Jane Kochersperger.
Another American environmental group, 350.org, also denounced the advertisement in more forceful terms.
“350.org strongly denounces the ‘No Pressure’ video released in the UK by the 10:10 Campaign,” the group said in a written statement. “The video is diametrically opposed to everything we and this movement stands for.”
350.org even severed its ties to 10:10. “Upon seeing the video…we have informed 10:10 that we can no longer remain partners on 10/10/10 or any other initiative,” the group said.
However, 350.org’s denunciation appeared to be at odds with a variety of other environmental groups who chose not to comment on the violent advertisement.
TheDC contacted the Natural Resources Defense Council, Earthjustice, Friends of the Earth, the Sierra Club and the Environmental Defense Fund, but none of the groups responded. Neither have those groups posted statements to their website as of press time.
Frequently outgunned in resources by industry opponents to their efforts, environmental groups are savvy practitioners of public relations battles and typically respond quickly on issues they wish to comment on.
WATCH: The 10:10’s “No Pressure” video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx4yr0FFhMQ