September 4, 2018

Ben & Jerry’s calls on Australian politicians to step up action on climate change with “Gimme S’more Renewables” launch

Ben & Jerry’s has unveiled a new limited-edition flavour Gimme S’More Renewables – a direct (and tasty) plea to Australian politicians to step up action on climate change. At a time when climate policy has paralysed Australian politics, Ben & Jerry’s is calling on political leaders to commit to building a fossil-fuel free world by accelerating Australia’s move to renewable energy.

Ben & Jerry’s has sent personalised pints of the Gimme S’More Renewables ice cream to key federal and state politicians in a personal plea to support renewable energy and put an immediate end to new fossil fuel projects.

The activist ice-cream maker has launched the flavour to raise awareness of #RiseforClimate, a global day of climate action, taking place on 8th September. Ben & Jerry’s is asking fans to join them and their long-term climate activism partners 350.org Australia at one of the fifty Rise for Climate picnics and marches around Australia.   

Ice cream lovers will also be able to send a message to their own local politicians via postal services installed at Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops nationwide.* The message that Ben & Jerry’s wants fans to help send is simple: ‘Renewable Is Doable’, we want you to support renewable energy policy and a fast, fair and just transition to renewable energy across the country.

Ben & Jerry’s Australia spokesperson, Bert Naber, said: “This is the latest activity in our long-term fight for climate justice. Together with 350.org Australia, we want to inspire Australians, to call on politicians from all sides of politics to take serious action on climate change. We want a cleaner, greener world and one of the best ways to do this is through renewable energy. Now, more than ever we need individuals, business, local, state and federal governments to take action!”

Blair Palese, CEO of 350.org Australia said: “We are already living with the impacts of climate change. Our farming communities are fighting drought. We’re living with more bushfires. Our oceans are warming and bleaching our Great Barrier Reef. We will stand up until we get a parliament that takes serious action on climate change. This means looking beyond coal, to a sun-powered future for Australia.”

“On September 8, Australians will lead the global #RiseForClimate day with more than 50 events nationally, to ensure that climate change is a top priority and demand our country move to 100% clean energy.”

Ben & Jerry’s is committed to becoming carbon positive by 2030, including sourcing 100% of its energy across operations from renewable sources by this time, sourcing electricity from renewable sources by 2020, and eliminating coal from its energy mix by 2020. All of Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops in Australia are powered by Powershop, Australia’s greenest power company and is 100% carbon neutral.

Gimme S’more Renewables will be available in Scoop Shops for one day only on 8th September (or until stocks last)*. ‘Gimme S’More Renewables’ heroes the legendary S’More and features a combination of marshmallow ice cream, chocolate cookies, Graham cracker swirls and fudge flakes. Proceeds from the flavour will go to Ben & Jerry’s’ long-term climate activism partner, 350.org Australia.

For more information on Ben & Jerry’s campaign and to find out more about the renewables moo-vement, head to https://www.benandjerry.com.au/values/issues-we-care-about/climate-justice.

*not including Hoyts stores

—ENDS—

Editors Notes

To find a #RiseforClimate event near you, visit http://www.riseforclimate.org

Media contacts

Ben & Jerry’s: Justine Yusi – 0415 617 435 / justine.yusi@redagency.com.au

350.org Australia: Lou Fraser 0438 993 068 lou@350.org.au 

About Ben & Jerry’s

Ben & Jerry’s has been making great ice cream since the company was founded by school friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield back in 1978. Our aim is (and always has been!) to make the best possible ice cream in the nicest possible way. We use Fairtrade certified ingredients, believe in linked prosperity, and take steps to minimise our carbon footprint. To learn more about how we do business, visit http://www.benandjerry.com.au/

 

350.org Australia and Ben & Jerry’s have worked together on several campaigns in Australia and across the world to reduce the use of and investment in fossil fuels. This includes the Freeze Fossil Fuels campaign to encourage local councils to divest from fossil fuels, and the Scoop Ice Cream not Coal to join the fights against the Adani megamine.

 

About 350.org

350 uses online campaigns, grassroots organising, and mass public actions to oppose new coal, oil and gas projects, take money out of the companies that are heating up the planet, and build 100% clean energy solutions that work for all. 350’s network extends to 188 countries.