Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a favorite target of the right, is a staunch advocate for medicare for all, student loan cancellation, and the abolition of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
But one of her most famous positions is robust support for a climate policy overhaul that meets the urgency of what scientists agree is a global crisis.
Ocasio-Cortez—known colloquially as AOC—is the figurehead of the Green New Deal, a set of actions designed to achieve net-zero emissions by the year 2050, while also transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy.
While AOC often encourages her supporters to do their part in creating a healthier environment, she far more often emphasizes that large corporations—especially those relying on fossil fuels for profits—contribute more to the climate crisis than any individual.
So when one of those corporations asked its followers what they were doing to reduce emissions, the famously Twitter-savvy Congresswoman didn't hesitate to answer.
I'm willing to hold you accountable for lying about climate change for 30 years when you secretly knew the entire time that fossil fuels emissions would destroy our planet 😇 https://t.co/ekj1Va1Cp0
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 2, 2020
The audacity of Shell asking YOU what YOU'RE willing to do to reduce emissions. 🙄
They're showing you RIGHT HERE how the suggestion that indiv choices - not systems - are a main driver of climate change is a fossil fuel talking point.
Yes, make good choices. Reign in FF corps.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 2, 2020
The Congresswoman alluded to documents from the 1980s which were unveiled in 2018 and showed that scientists working for Shell and Exxon warned of the increased carbon dioxide levels resulting from the burning of fossil fuels.
The research found that temperatures and sea levels would rise. Shell went to great lengths to conceal the research, which it designated "confidential" while publicly downplaying the threat posed by the climate crisis.
Only minutes after the Congresswoman dragged them, Shell tacked on an addendum to the question, acknowledging that change "requires everyone to play their part."
Changing the energy system requires everyone to play their part. That's what today's #EnergyDebate was about. As for our part, we said last week that Shell will reshape its portfolio of assets and products to meet the cleaner energy needs of its customers in the coming decades.
— Shell (@Shell) November 2, 2020
People applauded AOC's rebuttal.
I love when she gets like this. More please.
Draaaaag them, @AOC https://t.co/Vw81VCINKH
— steven pasquale (@StevePasquale) November 3, 2020
she is 100% correct....@Shell @exxonmobil https://t.co/rb8btkoFec
— Laurie David (@Laurie_David) November 2, 2020
SHE SAID WHAT SHE SAID. https://t.co/dslqZlw34U pic.twitter.com/9yE7JX3gc9
— carolina 🍄🦋 (@crolflores) November 2, 2020
NOT AOC CALLING OUT SHELL! AND THAT'S ON WHAT?? CLIMATE👏 JUSTICE👏 https://t.co/gwFHEY6Lxg
— P'Kit (@kitokun_) November 3, 2020
I am so in love with this woman https://t.co/OG71ZBFMWO
— Sarah Adina Smith (@SarahAdinaSmith) November 3, 2020
AOC HAS NO CHILL AND IM LIVING FOR IT https://t.co/ml4ETwCROE
— arvvi (@basuralph) November 3, 2020
Meanwhile, Twitter users roasted Shell almost as badly as greenhouse gases trapped by CO2 emissions roast the planet.
There's not much to debate when you are still tossing massive platforms into the Gulf that won't amortize under a low-emissions pathway. pic.twitter.com/CGJvlCGXlc
— wear a mask (@justinfmccarty) November 2, 2020
Shell: *robs the carbon bank*
Also Shell: OMG! We need everyone to help fix this 😽
— Green Genes (@GreenGenes7) November 2, 2020
Everyone needs to play their part, said the multi billion company responsible for the vast majority of the current pollution problem
— Joven Tobias (@Avalon86515767) November 2, 2020