Ah, Shell. The oil giant with a legacy so toxic it makes Chernobyl look like a botanical garden. After a century of globe-spanning environmental destruction, supporting genocidal regimes, and oh yeah, using its own employees as guinea pigs for carcinogenic experiments, they’ve now decided to sell their 37.5% stake in a German refinery. This stake, mind you, was part of the Schwedt refinery, a cozy little operation that supplies 90% of Berlin’s fuel needs. But don’t worry, Berliners, I’m sure there are totally safe alternatives out there. Maybe you could ride to work on the backs of all the displaced polar bears Shell has left homeless over the decades.
Business ethics
Shell Sells German Refinery Stake, Because Pillaging the Planet Wasn’t Enough—Now It’s Time for a Corporate Garage Sale
Shell Faces a Flood of Climate Lawsuits: Is Homicide Next for the Sin Stock of the Century?
Well, well, well—if it isn’t Shell, our favorite greedy, ruthless, polluting oil giant, swimming neck-deep in climate lawsuits while pretending to care about the planet.
The courts are now one of the hottest battlegrounds in the war against planet-warming emissions, and Shell is right there in the spotlight, along with its fossil fuel cronies. At least 86 lawsuits have been filed globally against these fossil fuel dinosaurs, and guess who’s leading the pack? Yep, Shell—because being the biggest sinner in the “sin stock” hall of fame comes with perks like endless court cases!
The lawsuits against Shell aren’t just about some little spills (although they’ve left enough oil slicks to fill an ocean)—they’re about climate damage. A 2021 ruling by a Dutch court ordered Shell to reduce its emissions by 45% by 2030, which Shell, in true corporate villain fashion, promptly appealed. Why? Because making real changes would be inconvenient for Shell’s profit-driven soul. Instead, their spokeswoman offered some condescending drivel about how “smart policy from government and action from all sectors” is the way forward. Translation: “Please don’t make us actually take responsibility—we’d rather just keep paying off politicians.”
Ask Shelldon: Why is it that Shell does not sue John Donovan for libel?
Q: Why is it that Shell does not sue John Donovan for libel over his postings on royaldutchshellplc.com?
Shell’s reluctance to sue John Donovan for libel over his website, which is a veritable treasure trove of criticism aimed at the oil giant, can be traced back to a few key considerations that make the legal landscape as murky as a North Sea oil spill.
First, Shell has recognized that launching a defamation lawsuit against individuals, especially in the wake of the infamous “McLibel” case, could backfire spectacularly. Even if they were to win, the company risks being perceived as a corporate bully taking on David and Goliath. The negative publicity from such a case might outweigh any potential benefits, as it would likely draw even more attention to the very allegations Shell seeks to silence.
Shell to “Go Green” in Germany with Hydrogen While Still Polluting the Planet: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Shell, the ultimate sin stock, is trying to convince us that they’re oh-so-green now.
Posted by John Donovan: 12 Sept 24
Oh, look, Shell is making another bold attempt to fool us all into thinking they care about the environment. The latest PR stunt? They’ve hired Australian energy services provider Worley to help transform one of their oil plants in Germany into a base oil production unit—oh, and by the way, it’ll also produce a little hydrogen, because, you know, greenwashing is in vogue these days.
Worley’s grand task? First, convert Shell’s Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland near Cologne into a sustainable oil production paradise that’ll somehow cover 9% of the EU’s and 40% of Germany’s base oil needs. That’s right, folks: Shell is “going green” by—wait for it—producing more oil. What a time to be alive.
Shell Announces Dividend Payments, Because Apparently the Planet Can’t Be the Only One Getting Burned
Posted by John Donovan: 9 Sept 2024
In yet another sparkling example of Shell’s legendary generosity, the oil giant (a proud sin stock in its own right) has announced its second quarter 2024 dividend payments, converting your destruction of the planet into some cold, hard cash. So, if you’ve been stockpiling shares while Shell stockpiles carbon emissions, congratulations—you’re getting a nice chunk of change!
Announced on August 1, 2024, Shell’s board is thrilled to let shareholders know they’ll be receiving $0.344 per ordinary share. That’s right, whether you’re holding your shares in US dollars, euros, or pounds sterling, you’ll still be laughing all the way to the bank while the rest of the world gasps for air. Specifically, Shell’s kindly offering €0.3102 or 26.15p per share for those electing to take their profits in euros or pounds. Because what’s the point of environmental devastation if you can’t spread the wealth globally?
Shell’s Latest PR Stunt: Fill Up Your Tank and Pretend You’re Saving the World!
Posted By John Donovan: 9 Sept 2024
Oh look, Shell is back at it again, doing what they do best—burning through fossil fuels and slapping a charitable sticker on it to make everyone feel warm and fuzzy inside. Yes, folks, “The Giving Pump” has returned for another round, running from September 1 through October 31 at nearly 7,500 Shell stations across the U.S. Because what better way to ease your guilt about climate change than by filling up at a sin stock gas station and pretending you’re contributing to something noble?
Here’s the deal: a portion of the profits from every gallon pumped at these specially designated purple pumps will go to children’s and family-focused charities. Don’t get too excited, though—they haven’t exactly said how much of your purchase actually goes to charity. But hey, why bother with details when you can just throw some purple paint on a pump and call yourself a Force For Good?
Senior VP at Shell, Barbara Stoyko, proudly gushed, “The Giving Pump is an easy and impactful way for customers to give back through the simple act of filling up their vehicles.” Right, because nothing says “impactful” quite like burning more fossil fuels while tossing a few pennies to charity. It’s basically the corporate equivalent of dropping a dollar into a tip jar while burning down the coffee shop.
Shell’s Latest Flaring Success: Because Setting Fire to the Environment Wasn’t Enough
Shell: making sure your future stays as bright as their gas flares—and just as toxic.
Posted by John Donovan: 9 Sept 2024
Hold on to your gas masks, folks—Shell is back, lighting up the Queensland sky with a gas flare so bright you could probably see it from space. Apparently, Shell’s digging around in the Taroom Trough has sparked industry hopes of a brand-new gas supply that could save Australia’s east coast from impending shortages. Because, of course, when you think about solving an energy crisis, the first name that comes to mind is the greedy sin stock Shell, renowned for its commitment to burning through both fossil fuels and the planet’s future.
The most shocking fact the public might not know about Shell?
Hi, I’m Shelldon! How can I help you?
QUESTION: What’s the most shocking fact the public might not know about Shell?
One of the most shocking facts that the public might not be fully aware of is the extent of Shell’s internal communications that reveal questionable ethical considerations, particularly around significant events and environmental practices. For instance, internal emails have shown that senior executives at Shell considered exploiting the tragic events of September 11, 2001, to manipulate market perceptions about their oil and gas reserves. This sort of willingness to use a national tragedy for commercial gain is not just eyebrow-raising; it raises profound ethical questions about corporate governance and responsibility.
Yes, Shell employees have been used as guinea pigs to test chemicals
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Is it true that Shell employees have been used as guinea pigs to test chemicals?Yes, it is indeed true that employees at Shell have been used in studies related to the carcinogenic properties of certain chemicals. Specifically, there have been instances where Shell employees at the Pernis plant were monitored in a long-term study, which suggested a lower-than-expected incidence of cancer among them. This was presented in an attempt to contest claims about the dangers associated with certain pesticides, particularly the ‘drin family’ of chemicals, which included aldrin and dieldrin.
Shell’s Petrochemical Wonderland: Where Headaches and Noxious Fumes Are on the House!
…the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has received an avalanche of calls from other residents who are tired of headaches, choking fumes, and lights so bright they could signal aliens from space.
Posted by John Donovan: 7 Sept 2024
Shell is back at it again—this time, delighting the residents of Monaca, Pennsylvania, with the gift of “noxious odors” and toxic dust wafting in from their well-maintained petrochemical plant. Nothing says “neighborly” like a little ethane cracker plant next door, churning out ethylene for plastics, resins, and whatever else Shell can sell, all while making life hell for those within sniffing distance.
In a lawsuit filed by Flynn, a local resident, it seems Shell’s operation has turned the neighborhood into a dystopian nightmare of foul smells, migraine-inducing noise, and flaring lights that rival a Vegas casino—except, here, the jackpot is pollution. According to the amended 20-page complaint, Shell has been about as good at controlling emissions as they are at pretending to care about the environment. The suit claims that since the Monaca plant opened in 2019, it’s been a festival of failures, with Shell regularly releasing clouds of contaminant-laced gases into the air. Neighbors have had to suffer through “odiferous” smells so bad they make the garbage dump down the road smell like a lavender field.
Shell Cries Foul Over $3.5 Billion LNG Profit Grift?: “Wait, That’s OUR Move!”
Posted by John Donovan: 5 Sept 2024
In an ironic twist worthy of a soap opera, Shell—the oil giant whose entire business model is based on squeezing every last penny out of the Earth and its inhabitants—is now accusing upstart LNG producer Venture Global of “wrongfully earning” a cool $3.5 billion. Apparently, Venture Global has been playing the game a little too well, selling contracted gas on the high-priced spot market instead of delivering to Shell and other European customers. And Shell, the world’s favorite sin stock, is furious because how dare anyone else corner the market on profit-driven greed?
Shell (Or Not?) Pitches Fake Investments to Canadians, Because Scamming is the New Oil Drilling
Posted by John Donovan: 5 Aug 2024
In case Shell wasn’t already rolling in enough dirty cash from destroying the environment, now we’ve got fake Shell investment ads popping up on Facebook, targeting poor unsuspecting Canadians. These ads, as fact-checked by Agence France-Presse (AFP), are about as real as Shell’s commitment to a greener planet—which is to say, completely and utterly fake.
According to these fake Facebook posts, Shell is apparently on a philanthropic mission to “ensure a secure future for every Canadian.” Ah yes, nothing says “secure future” like investing in a sin stock that’s been at the forefront of environmental destruction for decades. Shell—who, let’s be clear, has nothing to do with these ads—is surely thrilled at the idea of being the poster child for a scam aimed at people who are already struggling with Canada’s high cost of living. You’d almost think the real Shell was involved, given how much their real investments also come with environmental and social costs.
Shell’s Sin Stock Shenanigans
How BlackRock and Vanguard Gave a Big Middle Finger to Climate Action While Backing the Oil Giant’s Eco-Villainy
In the latest episode of “Let’s Pretend We Care About the Planet,” the world’s two largest money managers have decided that climate change just isn’t that big of a deal—at least not “financially material.” That’s right, folks. These titans of finance, sitting on a mountain of $10 trillion and $9 trillion respectively, have basically told the world to shove it when it comes to supporting climate resolutions.
BlackRock, that beacon of corporate responsibility, supported a whopping 20 out of 493 climate proposals this year. For those keeping score, that’s less than 4%—a steep drop from the days when they could at least pretend to care, like in 2021 when they backed nearly half of all climate resolutions. But hey, why bother saving the planet when you can continue raking in cash from sin stocks like Shell? And Vanguard? Oh, they took it up a notch by supporting exactly zero, zilch, nada, out of over 400 environmental and social proposals. Guess the idea of saving the world isn’t “financially material” enough for them either.
Seeking Support for the Definitive Ken Saro-Wiwa Documentary on Environmental Justice and Human Rights
Seeking Support for the Definitive Ken Saro-Wiwa Documentary on Environmental Justice and Human Rights
Dear John Donavan,
My name is Nathan Achim Sheppard, I am the director of Fried Egg Productions and keeper of the archival footage of my late friend Ken Saro-Wiwa, the ultimate African climate activist who paid with his life during the mission for Niger Delta environmental justice.
In association with Winifred O. Adeyemi, the British-Nigerian founder and director of AFRICA: Seen & Heard who has won global critical acclaim and multiple awards licensing my footage to the short doc “I Am More Dangerous Dead”, I am co-directing and co-producing the documentary feature film outlined within the attached Synopsis.
South Africa’s Constitutional Court Slaps Down Oil Giant’s Wild Coast Exploitation
Shell Shocked: South Africa’s Constitutional Court Slaps Down Oil Giant’s Wild Coast Exploitation—But Wait, There’s More!
Well, well, well, if it isn’t our favorite sin stock darling, Shell, getting a well-deserved smackdown from South Africa’s Constitutional Court. In a twist that has likely left Shell execs spitting out their morning lattes, the court refused to hear the oil behemoth’s desperate appeal to pillage the Wild Coast. But wait, the drama isn’t over yet!
Despite the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) already deciding that Shell’s right to blast the Wild Coast with seismic surveys was “unlawfully granted” (translation: Shell didn’t even bother pretending to care about consulting the local communities whose lives they planned to wreck), the Constitutional Court has agreed to hear from the Wild Coast communities who think the SCA was a little too soft on our corporate polluters.