Social media doesn’t buy Shell eco credentials

By agreenerlifeagreenerworld on July 16, 2015 • ( 1 Comment )

Photo credit: Shell via Flickr.

By Anders Lorenzen

It goes without saying that oil companies are not popular among environmentalists. But when the oil and gas major Shell posted following tweet, their social media strategists should have predicted somewhat of a PR failure:

Shell Eco-marathon in Detroit gave us excitement, drama and innovation. See the full story #makethefuture https://t.co/qHQ4ZLq22E

— Shell (@Shell) July 14, 2015

Brendan May, founder of the Robertsbridge Group, responded with:

.@Shell how about doing an eco marathon sprint out of the Arctic immediately instead of greenwashing? #SaveTheArctic

— Brendan May (@bmay) July 14, 2015

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While Greenpeace campaigner India Thorogood also referred to Arctic drilling:

@Shell drilling in the Arctic will certainly be dramatic too #SaveTheArctic

— India Thorogood (@indiathorogood) July 14, 2015

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Comedian Chris Corcoran had this to say:

@Shell 2 days from drilling in the Arctic against ALL advice. 70% chance oil spills. In the Arctic. Oil. Spill. Arctic. #SaveTheArctic

— Chris Corcoran (@ChrisKorkey) July 16, 2015

Some were simply surprised that Shell were pretending to have eco credentials:

@Shell youre taking the piss right?

— Jason Neylon (@jasonneylon) July 14, 2015

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@Shell this is like a homophobic hosting a gay rights marathon!

— Simon Hulme (@HulmeSh) July 14, 2015

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@Shell why do you keep promoting this? No one buys your greenwashing. Do something meaningful like #SaveTheArctic

— Ryan Blunt (@ryablu) July 14, 2015

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@Shell Shell and eco?? Really? No. The most ‘eco’ thing Shell could do is cease trading.

— SoozSilverTree (@SilverSuki) July 16, 2015

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@Shell good luck saving your corporate image, ain’t no one got time for that bullshit #Greenwashing

— ellen (@nellesapelle) July 16, 2015

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@Shell do you plan to stop drilling for and refining fossil fuels to burn? No? So this Eco-stuff is just PR? Thought so. #climatechange

— Handy Anson (@handy_anson77) July 15, 2015

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@Shell P.R. bullshit. You profit from the destruction of the planet for the sake of the few & against the will of the many.

— Crappy Sock puppet (@CrapySockpuppet) July 15, 2015

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@Shell innovation to do what…use more petrol…further kill the planet? Hydrogen fuel is an innovation. Where is it?

— blue ghosties (@blueghosties) July 15, 2015

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@Shell Highly dubious of your intent. Clean energy? For you? Really?

— BuckyWorld (@patravasio) July 15, 2015

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@Shell you guys have terrible PR. #SaveTheArctic

— DJ Drunko (@reecerunco) July 16, 2015

— Neil J Harrison (@Nelskih) July 14, 2015

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@Shell not drilling in the arctic would also be exciting.

— Vanessa (@Vuh_Nehssa) July 15, 2015

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.@Shell eco? I think not! If you want to be eco then stop drilling in the Arctic!!! #SaveTheArctic

— Nick Shannon (@Hatedthatmoose) July 14, 2015

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And finally someone who was, perhaps optimistically, encouraging Shell to change course:

@Shell Help us. You have the power to change the industry. Renewables must happen or history will blame you for our current destruction 🌍

— Grant Ryan (@grantryanmusic) July 14, 2015

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Shell are due to start their Alaskan Arctic drilling operations this summer.

Obama climate legacy at risk after he approves Arctic drilling, say environmentalists

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