As Members Leave COC, Questions Arise Over Its Dismissive Position on Climate Change
Did the US Chamber of Commerce ignore internal dissent when it took up a position that dismissed climate change? (image: lawyersusadcdicta.wordpress.com)
In the past several weeks, several big name companies have left the country’s most powerful business lobby, the Chamber of Commerce.
The COC alienated green-conscious companies when it publicly expressed its opposition to climate change legislation. An article in Wednesday’s Mother Jones magazine asks, “Did the Chamber of Commerce break its own rules when it adopted the hard-line climate policy that scared off Nike and Apple?”
Other news outlets, including HeatingOil.com, have reported on and analyzed how this cleaving issue is especially divisive for the business community. It shows just how pertinent and powerful the topic of climate change has become.
The article suggests that, “in its zeal to please a few powerful industries, [the COC] has taken a hard-line position on climate change that seems to be out of step with part of its membership,” which supposedly includes more than three million small, medium and large businesses. It also identifies some concerns among former members that the decision making process that led to the current COC positions on climate change and associated legislation was not sufficiently transparent and democratic.
Indeed, the latest powerhouse to drop out in protest was Apple Computer. Chicago-based Exelon is the biggest among the utility companies that have also left recently.
It’s easy to understand businesses’ bold moves when you consider the breadth of the CDCs opposition to climate change legislation: “The organization opposes the Waxman-Markey energy bill and is threatening to sue the Environmental Protection Agency if it regulates greenhouse gas emissions, arguing that such a move would dramatically increase ‘the price of everything that uses energy.’ It has also questioned the fundamental scientific consensus around global warming.”
It’s one thing to oppose the controversial cap and trade carbon regulations. But challenging the legitimacy of global warming is not something that sits well with a public that now generally accepts that the consequences of climate change are real and urgent.
Not all companies that support climate change legislation have quit the COC, though. Among those that remain include PNC bank, Alpha Technologies (a manufacturer of solar panels) and Duke Energy, which earned kudos from environmentalists when it quit the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. Though General Electric has moaned and groaned about the COC’s stance, they have not yet abandoned ship.
“Yes Men” Pranks Chamber of Commerce Over Climate Policy | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] to “break up” with the COC over their opposition to the climate bill currently in the Senate. Apple, Nike, Exelon and others have already left the Chamber over the contentious [...]
Eye on Copenhagen: Can the World Agree on a Climate Treaty to Replace Kyoto? | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] agenda, recently came under fire for putting significant funds toward defeating the climate bill. Companies like Nike, Apple, and Exelon Corporation have even left the organization, citing the Chamber’s stance on climate change as the [...]
Under Pressure, US Chamber of Commerce Shifts Position on Climate Bil | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] as just a few months ago they were trashing emission caps and questioning the science of global warming, the chambers claims of consistency are pretty hard to [...]
Republican Sens. Op-Ed Attacks Cap and Trade as “Gas Tax” | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] phrase “gas tax” is nothing new in this super-polarized debate that has divided politicians, businesses, and even communities. No one denies that implementation of a carbon emissions cap and trade [...]
Chamber Under Attack from Silicon Valley Businesses | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] “orchestrated pressure campaign” to convince other Chamber members to defect. Still, not every company that supports climate change legislation has decided to leave the COC; among those that remain are PNC Bank, Alpha Technologies, and Duke [...]