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Environmental Journalism
WINNER - How green is greenwash?
Green Economy Not There Yet
An investigation showing the green economy still has some way to go has won Age reporters Mathew Murphy and Ruth Williams the Australian Government Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism, the country's top award for environmental journalism.
If the market is to provide a solution to climate change, the tools will be carbon audits and carbon credits. However, The Age series published in February 2008 showed both businesses and consumers are confused about measurements and green credentials. It also demonstrated how ill-prepared and uninformed Australian businesses are about climate change.
"There is confusion in the business community and among the general public about the new language of the green economy. What does carbon offset really mean and can we believe the claims of a carbon neutral company?" says Australian Museum Director, Frank Howarth. "Murphy and Williams show us the urgent need for regulation of the green market."
Until the Federal Government's reforms to the carbon offsets market are in place, and an international protocol for carbon auditors is developed, businesses and individuals are unsure where to obtain reliable information. The journalists conclude the situation is ‘baffling' and ‘mystifying.'
Murphy and Williams illustrate how companies offering carbon audits, carbon calculators and carbon offsets have widely varying standards, while websites on measuring carbon footprints contain conflicting information.
Murphy and Williams warn us to beware the "planet-friendly sales pitch", encouraging consumers to "shop and save the planet at the same time." They claim it is almost impossible to distinguish between those doing the right thing and those who are ‘greenwashing' - an emerging marketing tool to make misleading claims about eco-friendly products or businesses.
The Age articles called the industry to account. As a result, some companies have already changed the way they represent themselves to the public. One website, whose green claims were called into question by the articles, was taken down immediately and several others were reworked to address concerns raised in the stories.
The journalists also highlighted a reluctance by corporate Australia to address the issue of climate change. A recent survey of more than 300 CEOs, found over 75% had not formally assessed the risk of climate change.
With Ross Garnaut's report warning that greenhouse emissions must be cut by up to 90% by 2050, the articles demonstrate the need for clearer and more transparent tools to assist industry and households achieve this goal
This prize is part of the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, the Oscars of Australian science. Coveted among science prizes, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes were announced at a glittering event in Sydney on 19 August attended by a ‘who's who' of Australian science, government, academia and industry.
The $10,000 Australian Government Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism commemorates the outstanding work of the late Dr Peter Hunt of the ABC's Science Unit. It is awarded to an Australian journalist or communicator for a particular work or for overall performance in the field of environmental journalism.
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Sponsor
The Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism is sponsored by Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Description
Awarded to an Australian journalist(s) or communicator(s) whose work is assessed as having most effectively communicated environmental issues to the public.
prize
$10,000
Purpose
The Australian Government Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism is Australia's most significant cash award for environmental journalism.
The prize was established in 1992 to commemorate the work of the late ABC Science broadcaster Dr Peter Hunt in recognition of his outstanding professionalism in investigative journalism.
Judging Criteria
Judging criteria:
Newsworthiness: timely work that adds to or encourages debate on current issues.
Impact: work is noteworthy for its positive effect or influence in the community.
Accuracy: work is factually correct.
Effectiveness: work makes a balanced and significant contribution to a greater public understanding and appreciation of contemporary issues or developments in the environment.
Creativity: in communicating concepts and ideas: work engenders interest by using creative and clear communication.
Appropriateness of context: material is pitched at the right level in terms of complexity and technical issues for the audience involved.
Adherence to ethical standards: in recognition of Peter Hunt's legacy, all work is original and adheres to the highest standard of investigative journalism - including the MEAA Code of Ethics.
Special emphasis is given to work that informs and influences public and/or corporate attitudes to a significant national environmental issue(s), is balanced and accurate in its coverage and has real or potential practical impact on the issue(s).
Conditions of entry
The prize is open to individuals or groups.
Work entered in this prize must have been:
• undertaken by an Australian citizen(s) or Australian resident(s); and
• published or broadcast for the first time in the Australian media within 12 months prior to the close of entries.
Entrants are required to declare and disclose any subsequent corrections or challenges to the accuracy of an entry, or claims of plagiarism or defamation against the work submitted.
The following are NOT eligible for this prize:
• work involving editing by the entrant; and
• books.
Online entry forms close 5pm AEST Friday 2 May 2008. Hard copy entries will not be considered until and unless an online entry form has been completed.
Completed entries must be received by the Australian Museum no later than 5pm AEST on Friday 9 May 2008. Entries delivered to the Australian Museum after this time will not be considered.
Entries with insufficient sets of documentation will not be considered.
Submitted material will not be returned.
Work entered for this prize may not be entered/nominated for another Australian Museum Eureka Prize.
The deliberations of the judging panel remain confidential. All recommendations and decisions taken are binding and final and no correspondence will be entered into on such matters. The judges reserve the right not to award a Prize in any given year if, in their view, the quality of entries is insufficiently meritorious.
Information provided by the entrant(s) in relation to the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes (including photos), may be used by the Australian Museum for promotional/publicity purposes.
Personal information provided in connection with the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes will be used only by the Australian Museum and only in connection with the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
How to enter
1. Complete an online entry form
Complete the online entry form by 5pm AEST on Friday 2 May 2008. Make sure you print out a copy.
2. Prepare five (5) sets of the entry, with each set consisting of:
1. a printed copy of the online entry form as submitted
2. a statement of 200 words describing the circumstances behind the entry, eg. the origin of the idea, effort in making it a reality, difficulties encountered, or any other matter considered by the entrant to be relevant to its consideration by the judges
3. copies of the relevant material being entered (not necessarily originals). Television entries should be submitted in CD or DVD format.
2. Submit the entry
Submit five (5) complete and separate sets of the entry clipped together (not bound). Please do NOT bother with elaborate presentation when submitting the entry. This will be removed before material is sent to judges. The five (5) sets of the entry should be sent to:
Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism
Australian Museum
6 College Street
SYDNEY NSW 2010
3. DEADLINE for submission of entries
The five (5) sets of the entry must be received at the Australian Museum by 5pm AEST on Friday 9 May 2008. Entries received after this time will not be considered.
