Shell faces backlash on social media after deciding to wade into the debate on climate change and how best to tackle it
- Shell tweeted to ask users what they were willing to change to reduce emissions
- Oil company seemed to suggest that other people’s behaviour was to blame
- Climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, 17, called Shell out for its part to play
Shell has faced a backlash on social media by deciding to wade into the debate on climate change and how best to tackle it.
The oil company, one of the biggest in the entire world, seemed to suggest that other people’s behaviour was to blame for damages to the environment.
Greta Thunberg, the 17-year-old climate campaigner, said: I don’t know about you, but I sure am willing to call-out-the-fossil-fuel-companies-for-knowingly-destroying-future-living-conditions-for-countless-generations-for profit-and-then-trying-to-distract-people-and-prevent-real-systemic-change-through-endless greenwash-campaigns.’
The massive oil company originally tweeted to say: ‘What are you willing to change to help reduce emissions?’
The oil company, one of the biggest in the entire world, seemed to suggest that other people’s behaviour was to blame for damages to the environment
The massive oil company originally tweeted to say: ‘What are you willing to change to help reduce emissions?’
It then gave Twitter users four options to pick from – Offset omissions, stop flying, buy electric vehicle and renewable electricity.
Even though only 199 people replied to the poll, the tweet quickly went viral as scientists and campaigners quickly pointed out Shell’s own contributions to climate change.
Shell responded: ‘Changing the energy system requires everyone to play their part. That’s what today’s Energy Debate was about.
Greta Thunberg, the 17-year-old climate campaigner, ridiculed the company for its tweet
Even though only 199 people replied to the poll, the tweet quickly went viral as scientists and campaigners quickly pointed out Shell’s own contributions to climate change
‘As for our part, we said last week that Shell will reshape its portfolio of assets and products to meet the cleaner energy needs of its customers in the coming decades.’
Professor Katharine Heyhoe, a climate scientist at Texas Tech University, said: ‘What am I willing to do?
‘Hold you accountable for the two per cent of cumulative global emissions equivalent to those of my entire home country of Canada.’