It seems the Wall Street Journal and a few other important online publications like Grist and PR Watch have picked up on Shell's first public blog :
In the last few months we have been working with Shell's global media team and our partners It's Open to make sure David Hone's Climate Change blog got off to a good start. It is encouraging that people have recognised not only the significance of what David is doing, but also the open and constructive approach he is taking.
David's primary job is to advise Shell on matters relating to Climate Change. Because of the blog he can now also tell us, the public, what he and Shell are thinking about this issue. As conversation topics go, this could be considered a tricky one. So why even attempt it? Well, we believe there are many good reasons for engaging people in difficult conversations, and we think Shell deserve credit for trying to do so.
David is an expert on a subject that most people only have a cursory knowledge about. Through his daily work he discusses the topic with the world's foremost climate change researchers and policy makers. His insights and his measured pragmatic approach to different theories bring a completely new perspective to a debate that is often polarised and ill-informed. His blog provides a serious platform for conversation about an issue that is very important to all of us, and which we all need to work together to solve. Working with David, our team have focused on encouraging him to write about his opinions and insights in a way that can be enjoyed by people other than just climate change experts. Also, by setting up good systems for monitoring online debates about climate change, David is now able to have a good overview of what is always being said by those who matter in the field, and to actively identify those debates he feels he can contribute towards.
We believe that it is important to assist companies in opening up to engage with the wider public on issues of importance to all of us, rather than continue the zero sum game of defensive PR vs over-simplified, adversarial campaigning, which is not getting us very far. When faced with a difficult topic, whether as an organisation or an individual, being open, honest and willing to discuss it is always a good first step.
