Apple Quits U.S. Chamber of Commerce Over Climate

Brendan DeMelle DeSmog
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Apple became the fourth company in recent days to completely sever ties with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over the business lobbyโ€™s backwards stance on climate change.

In a letter to the Chamber obtained by the New York Times, Apple states [PDF]:

โ€œWe strongly object to the chamberโ€™s recent comments opposing the E.P.A.โ€™s effort to limit greenhouse gasesโ€ฆApple supports regulating greenhouse gas emissions, and it is frustrating to find the chamber at odds with us in this effort.โ€

The letter from Apple Vice President Catherine Novelliย continues:

โ€œWe would prefer that the Chamber take a more progressive stance on this critical issue and play a constructive role in address the climate crisis. However, because the Chamberโ€™s position differs so sharply with Appleโ€™s, we have decided to resign our membership effective immediately.โ€

Apple did the right thing, and other Chamber members should follow suit immediately.

NRDC has an excellent run-down of several recent editorials from around the country, all slamming the Chamber of Commerceโ€™s efforts to block action to address climate change.ย  The New York Times editorial points out that โ€œno organization in this country has done more to undermine [climate]ย legislation.โ€ย 

The Times editorial โ€œWay Behind The Curveโ€ notes that the companies who have quit the Chamber so far โ€œsee a carbon-constrained world coming and want to get out ahead of the curve โ€” not behind it like the chamber.โ€

The Boston Globe skewered the Chamber for its โ€œincreasingly shrill, doom-saying opposition to climate change legislation in Washingtonโ€ in its editorial titled โ€œUS Chamber of Overstated Horrors.โ€

The Globe called the recent departure of energy companies Exelon, PNM Resources and PG&E โ€œwelcome cracks in the stone wall of the chamber. The question is how many more of the chamberโ€™s 3 million members need to quit before the organization alters its retrograde view.โ€

That is a great question.ย  How many companies will stand up and quit the Chamber?ย  Every departure sends a strong message to the Chamber that a few powerful fossil fuel interests cannot claim to represent the views of corporate America.ย  Who will be next to send that much needed message?

Running tab of criticisms by the Chamberโ€™s own members:

Quit US Chamber: Exelon, PNM Resources, PG&E, Apple.

Quit US Chamber Board: Nike.

Says Chamber doesnโ€™t represent their views on climate: Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, San Jose Chamber of Commerce.

Brendan DeMelle DeSmog
Brendan is Executive Director of DeSmog. He is also a freelance writer and researcher specializing in media, politics, climate change and energy. His work has appeared in Vanity Fair, The Huffington Post, Grist, The Washington Times and other outlets.

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