A Conversation with Shell
Through the TED Conversations platform, Shell is partnering with TED to engage the community in meaningful discussion on key global issues.
Nick Allen
Vice President,
Shell International
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A conversation with Shell: How can the smarter use of energy and other resources unlock the true potential of cities?
There are 7 billion people on this planet, and half live in cities. In 40 years there are likely to be 9 billion, and three quarters of these will be urbanites -- that's the equivalent of building one new city of 1.3 million people every week for the next 40 years.
The world has never experienced a pace of change like this, and the transition will create new challenges and new opportunities.
Energy is at the heart of this revolution. It courses through the veins of cities and how cities use energy in the future will be critical to their successful development. But, it is not just about energy - how cities develop will also have a huge impact on water, food, waste and the environment.
During the week of TEDGlobal, we will debate many of the challenges that face cities. What would you propose to overcome these challenges?
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Tone F
And why aren't some of Shell's £2 million an hour profits channelled into providing this technology to communities that need it most?
Nick Allen 100+
At Shell, we do not have direct involvement in solar, however Show Shell in Japan (of which we have a shareholding) does. Our involvement in renewables focuses on managing wind farms and more specifically significant focus on biofuels, and particularly advanced biofuels.