Drilled The Black Thread, Ep 2 | Petroganda
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Oct 22, 2025 Julia Fortsammer, co-founder of the Norwegian non-profit Klimakultur, dives into the world of "petroganda," revealing how the oil industry influences culture and public perception in Norway. She discusses how fossil fuel propaganda targets children through events like Equinor-sponsored coding camps, intertwining politics and oil in community activities. Julia highlights the challenges of accurate climate communication and the industry’s attempts to shift responsibility to consumers, exposing the systemic ties between state, culture, and oil that sustain extraction narratives.
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Petroganda Shapes Public Perception
- Petroganda means sustained, strategic fossil-fuel messaging shaping public attitudes and normalizing industry presence.
- Julia Fortsammer and Amy Westervelt map recurring narratives like energy security and industry-as-solution that appear across Norway.
Oil Sponsorship At Community Events
- Equinor sponsors the Arctic Race of Norway, attracting politicians and large local audiences.
- Julia describes this as a people’s festival where politics, oil and community intertwine and get framed positively.
Kids Branded At Science Events
- Equinor-funded coding camps and competitions show children in branded apparel and give sponsors photo rights.
- Julia warns these events produce powerful marketing as children publicly associate fun with the oil brand.
