Forbes lays out an interesting line of argument in declaring Irving-based Exxon Mobil “Green Company of the Year.” It’s not because they’ve found a new deity to worship, nor do they put much emphasis on its plans to turn algae into power. No, Forbes grants the honor mostly because of the company’s increased move towards natural gas.
As you can imagine, there are plenty in the blogosphere, like this one, who question Forbes‘ granting of this particularly distinction. And it’s true that Exxon Mobil has given plenty of reasons in the past for it to be thought of as an anti-green company. But we shouldn’t be surprised about this selection. For one, Forbes is a financial magazine, and Exxon Mobil sits atop the highest altar of American business.
Secondly, this was (presumably) a call made by magazine editors. When it comes to declaring something “the best” in a newspaper or a magazine, novelty and surprise are a primary concern in making the selections. Had Forbes said a company like Whole Foods, or Green Mountain Energy, was the green company of the year, there would have been a collective yawn from the masses. A counter-intuitive choice of a huge energy company like Exxon Mobil brings in a lot more eyeballs.
If you want to talk about bias in the mainstream media, that’s where you’ll find it: we like whatever is new — new ideas, new ways of thinking.
So, of course, Exxon Mobil isn’t a “green” company. But saying so suggests a fresh perspective, and an article worth reading.