Friday Finds: Chevron Can't Handle the Truth

The Yes Men's latest victim is Chevron's "We Agree" ad campaign. Image courtesy of theyesmen.org

Rag tag activists smear Chevron oil ad
The notorious Yes Men, a loose-knit association of activist imposters, have struck again, this time against Chevron in a mock campaign that spoofs the oil giant's own "We Agree" print and video ads, designed to highlight its efforts to be greener and cleaner, reports Reuters. One ad states that oil companies should clean up the messes they make. Earthjustice agrees.

Organic farmers milk the music scene
Unless you're a country music fan, it's not often that you see farmers in music videos. Yeehaw! But the farmers at Yeo Valley Organic are taking the organic farmer scene into uncharted fields with a new rap video that touts sustainable farming practices, complete with rhythmic owls and blinged out cows, reports Grist. A sample of the lyrics includes, "Yeo Valley's approach is common sense. Harmony and nature take precedence." Watch the entire video here. It's good to the last drop.

Energy industry co-opts classrooms, again
Educational publisher Scholastic Inc. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have partnered together to provide school children with a teaching guide about energy that asks students to consider what could happen if one of our energy sources was suddenly unavailable due to a "government curb on production" (e.g. stronger environmental protections), reports Politico. As if BP developing educational plans in California wasn't enough classroom meddling.

Feds evade new stormwater tax
New D.C. stormwater fees designed to meet U.S. clean water standards have the federal government complaining about new taxes, reports The Washington Post. D.C. property owners, including the federal government, are required to pay the new fees, which will help manage and treat stormwater and meet pollution controls required under the Clean Water Act. But the feds aren't buying it, arguing in a 21-page legal brief that the federal government has immunity from local taxes. Tell that to the IRS.

White turbines draw in purple-hating insects
It turns out that painting wind turbines bright white isn't a good idea if you're a wildlife lover, according to a recent study reported on by the BBC. Scientists have found that insects are drawn to the colors white and grey, which may lure hungry bats and birds right into the turbine's blades. One color that the insects don't like is purple, found the researchers, which suggests that we may just save some lives by adding a little color to our own.