The following is the statement made by Stephen Viederman at the Exxon Mobil Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas. Viederman presented resolution 19 requesting Exxon to adopt a renewable energy policy. He filed the resolution along with other individuals, families, foundations and religious orders. They were joined by 20 institutional investors worth over $740 billion in combined assets, including Exxon Mobil stock valued at more than $8.6 billion.

My family is a long-term shareowner of Exxon. Having received our shares from my wife's mother many years ago we expect to pass them on to our grandchildren.

Professionally, I am a public servant, educator, social and environmental justice advocate, author and lecturer.

However, as I entered my eighth decade a few years ago, I realized that my true vocation, my passion, for many years has been Grandparenting--caring for and loving my grandchildren: Will, Hannah, Romy and Charlie. But since they like all of us cannot live insulated from the world-at-large, I realized that Grandparenting meant concern for and loving all children.

And, like me, I imagine that you the board members and senior management of our company are also deeply caring grandparents, as well as parents, godparents, aunts and uncles, friends, and that you take your responsibilities seriously.

However, what confounds me is that, by your actions in response to climate risks, you seem to leave these fundamental responsibilities at the boardroom door.

And that is not good for Exxon Mobil or our children.

After ignoring or questioning climate risk for many years, and your role in it, last year you finally recognized that climate risk is "serious enough to warrant action—by individuals, by businesses, and by governments".

However, by recommending that shareowners vote against resolution 19—requesting adoption of a renewable energy policy-- on the grounds that it is unwarranted, it appears that you exempt Exxon from that action.

Why?

You argue that the demand for oil and gas will continue to grow to 2030. You are saying that there is money to be made by sticking with oil and gas regardless of the consequences for the company itself and for the society at large.

Given the dynamic state of political discussions, the potential for significant regulatory reform, peak oil, and strong interest in renewables around the world, can you be so certain about your projections?

Are you so confident that our infrastructure and the health and welfare of our workforce will not experience problems of sea level rise and natural disasters related to climate risk?
Are you able and willing to take responsibility for the effects of climate on your children and grandchildren, surrogates for society-at-large?

In his bestselling book, Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, distinguished scientist Jared Diamond describes this mindset of denial of nature that has proven disastrous throughout history. Think Easter Island, the Anazazi, the Maya!

You also refer to Exxon's "active involvement in research on alternative energy technologies." Come now.

You know the difference between alternative energy and renewable energy. The term renewable does not appear in your recommendation to shareowners!

Are you trying to confuse your shareowners into thinking you are serious?

When you finally decide that renewables are important will it be too costly to buy-in? And will integrating them into your oil and gas mindset and culture prove impossible?

You as board members and senior management are fiduciaries for our company and for your children and grandchildren. You can exercise both duties when you enter the Exxon Mobil boardroom. This requires wisdom and prudence, being farseeing.

It's time for Exxon Mobil to stop being a dinosaur. Exxonmobilsaurusrex must disappear.

It is time to elect an independent chair who is more than just an oil and gas man.

It is time to really be what Exxon now purports to be, the leading company "taking on the world's toughest energy challenges".

For the future sustainability of our company and its shareowners and for your grandchildren and the children of the world your fiduciary duty demands action now.

I leave you with a question. In ten years in a warmer world when shareowners and your grandchildren ask why did you not take action on renewables, what will you in good conscience say?

About Stephen Viederman

Stephen Viederman is a well-known author and speaker and the retired president of the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation.

This commentary is part of a partnership between CSRwire and Corporate Watchdog Radio. Click here to hear the audio.