When you Google for social media and climate change, you see links on how it positively helps create awareness on the climate and you see others quite negative especially when there is deliberate misinformation. It was surprising this week to see an article in the Financial Times (behind a paywall) that Shell is tapping gamers and influencers to boost their image among the young. The article states that “Shell is hiring staff to promote online games, sponsoring influencers to race cars on branded virtual courses and backing athletes to inspire “the next generation” on Instagram, as the oil and gas major seeks to burnish its brand among a younger generation of consumers.” It goes on: “The campaign is one of several recent initiatives by fossil fuel companies on platforms popular among young people. Climate campaigners want regulators to crack down on this type of advertising in the same way they have for tobacco and alcohol companies.” The article quotes Duncan Meisel, director of Clean Creatives: “They’re targeting young people because they want to build positive associations among a group of people that otherwise want nothing to do with them.” Only last month, The Economist wrote (behind a paywall) that the “global backlash against climate policies has begun.” With what Shell is now doing, we can’t be surprised. What does this mean for COP28 starting in a couple of weeks?
The eceee Zero Carbon Industry event will take place 30–31 January 2024 in Antwerp, Belgium. Europe’s industrial context has changed considerably over the last couple of years. Europe has increased its climate ambition to achieve full climate neutrality by 2050, the COVID-19 pandemic has perturbed consumer demand and supply chains, and Russia has caused an unprecedented energy crisis but also opened up new opportunities. This conference is an opportunity to discuss the way forward to not only decarbonisation but also improving Europe’s industrial competitiveness. The call for abstracts is now open until November 20th. The description of the panels is available here. To submit an abstract, please go here. To get an idea of what the conference will be like, have a look at the films and presentations from last year’s conference.
With so many people on the move this year, here is some useful news to help you along:
- It is encouraging to see the growing demand for train travel. Euronews provides us with the best new European train routes launching in 2023 and 2024.
- For those interested in a nice hike through Europe, Moon and Honey Travel recommend 22 best day hikes in Europe.
- If you’re interested in a cycling trip this year, have a look at the Best Cycling Destinations in Europe.
- For those travelling in the US, Lonely Planet provides 9 of the most incredible train journeys in the USA.
- SlowWays in Britain is a network of walking routes that connect all of Britain’s towns, cities and national parks. Over 130,000 km of routes join up all of Great Britain’s towns and cities. There is even an app available for your phone.
Ray Bradbury (1920-2012), one of the most celebrated 20th-century American writers, gives us much to think about – or maybe not think about – this week: “Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It’s self-conscious and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can’t “try” to do things. You simply “must” do things.
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Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 