Oil Industry Advisor Comes Out of His Shell

Submitted by Diane Farsetta on

The oil company Shell -- which is heavily invested in Alberta's tar sands, an especially dirty and greenhouse gas-intensive source of oil -- has launched a blog about climate change issues. It's "the first time a major oil company has used social media to make a public policy case," reports Siobhan Hughes. Shell climate adviser David Hone authors the blog, making him "the public face of Shell's climate agenda." Hone said the blog is "about recognizing that the paradigms have shifted and we have to shift with it and therefore it's about a solution and, whether we like it or not, that solution is going to come." Shell has previously courted public opinion, including by sending then-president of U.S. operations John Hofmeister on a 50-city tour in 2006. Hofmeister said "the tour helped improve public perceptions" of Shell, "even if there were some 'dicey moments.'" The Center for Media and Democracy's Diane Farsetta cautioned that Shell's messaging has "to be put in context. ... What we need ... is a totally independent discussion" of climate change issues that is "very critical of major oil companies."

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), March 5, 2009
Topics: 
Internet
Climate Change
Issue Management

Comments

Anonymous replied on

I'm not a big fan of corporate greenwash, but Chevron did this some time ago. Originally, they took comments. So, um, not the first time an oil company has used social media in this context.

Anonymous replied on

...that doesn't need expensive fluids, or sell a liquid fuel that you have to buy again next week, which fits into their old paradigm better?
They want the past back.
Even automakers are being dragged, kicking and screaming, into the future.

Would they rather sell a low maintenance ($) plug-in electric, or a high maintenance internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, with all its expensive (and relatively short-lived) replacement parts? And all the fluids that need replacing (oil, etc) add up to oil company money. So Shell is playing the "shell game" with our planet, taking the myopic approach, but their "cash cow" is almost out of milk.

Anonymous replied on

This blog looks like it could be a fascinating insight. David's primary job is to advise Shell on matters relating to climate change.

Addressing the issues caused by climate change has become increasingly urgent.

There is an opportunity to get involved and add their voice to the current Oxfam campaign to help reduce global warming by adding support to Oxfam's climate change campaign.

patty replied on

That's a very smart way of blurring the line of social responsibility with corporate interests, isn't it? But I think more importantly, that'll bring the onus back to the big oil companies to really take an active interest and stand in the green movement... definitely a move for the better of humanity!

Annie Richards replied on

I read with pleasure the announcement that the Kennedy Center and FPL are partnering to create a solar energy center that will help provide energy for over 1100 florida homes, as well as provide energy for the space center.
“The partnership between NASA and FPL is an excellent one that comes at the right time,” said Robert Cabana, director of Kennedy Space Center. “It will help provide clean, renewable power to Florida residents, it will help support America’s space program by supplying electricity directly to Kennedy Space Center, and it helps to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and improves the environment.”

Here's to more companies setting the standard!