Apple became the fourth company in recent days to completely sever ties with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over the business lobbyโs backwards stance on climate change.
In a letter to the Chamber obtained by the New York Times, Apple states [PDF]:
The letter from Apple Vice President Catherine Novelliย continues:
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 Commerceโs efforts to block action to address climate change.ย The New York Times editorial points out that โno organization in this country has done more to undermine [climate]ย legislation.โย
The Times editorial โWay Behind The Curveโ notes that the companies who have quit the Chamber so far โsee 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 โincreasingly shrill, doom-saying opposition to climate change legislation in Washingtonโ in its editorial titled โUS Chamber of Overstated Horrors.โ
The Globe called the recent departure of energy companies Exelon, PNM Resources and PG&E โwelcome cracks in the stone wall of the chamber. The question is how many more of the chamberโs 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 Chamberโs own members:
Quit US Chamber: Exelon, PNM Resources, PG&E, Apple.
Quit US Chamber Board: Nike.
Says Chamber doesnโt represent their views on climate: Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, San Jose Chamber of Commerce.
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