Summary

In Chapter 2, "Shell Games," the evolution of the Royal Dutch Shell company’s approach to climate change is discussed. The company is among the largest of its kind in the world. For some time it has engaged “futurists” to develop various scenarios to determine how the future might play out and how the company should or would respond. In 2008, Royal Dutch Shell publicly released two scenarios describing the world up to 2050. Both warned of the dangers of climate change. The author describes conversations with several Shell officials. Their statements indicate that longer summer seasons in Arctic regions benefit them because they bring longer drilling seasons. Shell officials stated a preference for the scenario called Blueprints, which calls for front-end decisions and international cooperation. However, the company has gradually shifted from its purportedly green company stance by abandoning its stake in alternative energy...