Ned Potter is the science correspondent for ABC's "World News with Charles Gibson." He has reported on such topics as space exploration, the human genome and climate change.
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Green Apple: Firm is Latest to Leave U.S. Chamber of Commerce
October 06, 2009 3:51 PM
We reported on this after the PG&E defection. Now they've been joined by a few more companies -- including Nike (from the Chamber's board of directors) last week, and, yesterday, Apple.
"Apple is committed to protecting the environment," reads a letter to the Chamber from Catherine A. Novelli, Apple's vice president for worldwide government affairs. "We strongly object to the Chamber's recent comments opposing the EPA's effort to limit greenhouse gases." The company sent ABC News a copy of the letter; look HERE.
Among other things, a Chamber executive suggested in August that there be a "Scopes trial of the 21st century." That's what William Kovacs, the chamber's vice president for environmental regulation, was quoted as telling the Los Angeles Times. It "would be evolutionism versus creationism. It would be the science of climate change on trial." (The Times piece is no longer posted...but a Boston Globe editorial says the chamber "went completely off the rails" with that comment.)
Keep in mind, of course, that Apple is a company that doesn't exactly burn a lot of fossil fuels. It has an interest, with its iPods and iPhones, Macs and iTunes, in burnishing a sleek, clean public image. It has now posted its so-called carbon footprint -- and reports that 53 percent of its environmental impact comes from the public (i.e., you) plugging all those shiny electronics into the wall. Apple may have made its name with the Macintosh, but it's big on green Apples.
By the way, Al Gore is on Apple's board, though neither he nor the company would comment on whether he was at all involved in Apple's decision.
Nike, on the other hand, is on the Chamber's board -- and says the Chamber sets a lot of policy without telling its own board members. Nike isn't quitting the chamber the way the other companies are, but it is leaving the board, with less-than-kind words: "their recent action challenging the EPA is inconsistent with our view that climate change is an issue in need of urgent action."
The Natural Resources Defense Council, a major environmental group, has been following this issue, and sent two links; look HERE and HERE.
Late today, the Chamber's CEO, Thomas Donohue sent this letter to Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs:
Dear Mr. Jobs:
"I am sorry to learn of Apple's resignation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It is unfortunate that your company didn't take the time to understand the Chamber's position on climate and forfeited the opportunity to advance a 21st century approach to climate change.
"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce continues to support strong federal legislation and a binding international agreement to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change. Furthermore, we believe that Congress should set climate change policy through legislation, rather than having the EPA apply existing environmental statutes that were not created to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. This is also the stated position of the President and Congressional leaders.
"Your letter states that "Apple is committed to the environment and the communities in which we operate around the world." So is the Chamber but we are also committed to preserving the competitiveness and prosperity of the communities and businesses in our nation.
"While we do support legislation to address climate change, we oppose legislation such as the Waxman-Markey bill that numerous studies show will cause Americans to lose their jobs and shift greenhouse gas emissions overseas, negating potential climate benefits. An effective climate change response must include all major CO2 emitting economies, promote new technologies, emphasize efficiency, ensure affordable energy for families and businesses, and defend American jobs while returning our economy to prosperity.
"The American business community that we proudly represent is the single largest investor and innovator in clean energy solutions and remains committed to a strong economy and clean environment. We continue to remind the public and policymakers that it has been the private sector that has developed the innovations that we now take for granted, from the personal computer to the medicines that keep us healthy. The Chamber believes that the business community will continue to be the catalyst for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and we support efforts to tackle climate change in a way that will strengthen our economy, protect American jobs, and benefit our environment.
"Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. The Chamber supports an international agreement that will set realistic and achievable goals, ensure global participation, protect intellectual property rights and remove trade barriers to environmental goods and services.
"I would have hoped that Apple would have supported our efforts to improve environmental stewardship and keep Americans at work and our economy competitive. As the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, the Chamber is leading the way to support the innovation needed to transition to a lower carbon future, including the elimination of barriers to the deployment of clean energy technologies. Supporting innovation and technology is at the very heart of our efforts to combat climate change, and we will continue to fight for an approach that embraces their merits.
"It is a shame that Apple will not be part of our efforts."
October 6, 2009 in Current Affairs, economy, Politics, Science | Permalink | Share | User Comments (8)
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"By the way, Al Gore is on Apple's board." That explains it all.
Posted by: bkm | Oct 6, 2009 4:31:46 PM
This newest departure from the US Chamber over clean energy and climate raises the question of who the Chamber represents, a question we are asking with the website http://www.whodoesthechamberrepresent.org.
If the US Chamber wants to be taken seriously on this issue, it needs to put forward serious ideas, not rhetorical smokescreens. For example, the Chamber insisted last week that it “supports strong” legislation; but then it states that it won’t support legislation that isn’t international in scope. Assuming the Chamber is aware that Congress only legislates domestically, it is hard to find their positioning sincere.
Posted by: Pete Altman | Oct 6, 2009 5:26:36 PM
If the US Chamber supports strong climate legislation, why are companies leaving the US Chamber because of its opposition to climate legislation?
Posted by: Peter Altman | Oct 6, 2009 5:56:29 PM
You mean the same Apple that fought electronic waste legislation in multiple states for years.
The same Apple that said "Governments should develop a legal framework and public policies to promote appropriate end-of-life management, including environmentally friendly disposal and recycling." And then turned around and lobbied against it?
The same Apple that has lagged behind it's competitors in product recycling and take back programs is shaking its finger at someone just like itself?
Posted by: WhatDaBlah | Oct 6, 2009 7:31:54 PM
the US chamber is full of crap. they have been #1 2 and 3 fighting against any meaningful climate change legislation for years, and right now. companies like apple and nike are doing their part to improve their environmental impact and they can't afford to have the chamber act as dead weight any longer.
the chamber should be working to help fund real mitigation for the companies it represents, as we adjust to being pollution-free. they should not be constantly finding loopholes for companies so they don't actually have to reduce their pollution.
it's what consumers really demand: corporate responsibility and accountability to the environment and to people, not just profits. it's an ongoing process, and apple knows this consumer demand will continue to grow, not be water-downed or obstructed by the chamber.
i also found the tone of the chamber's letter to be rather unprofessional. they know these conversations have already happened--to sound so bitter and re-writing what was already said, it's just PR recovery for the public ear and even then, honestly the chamber sounds a fool. time for a new director.
Posted by: susan | Oct 7, 2009 10:58:31 AM
As Tom Friedman often points out in his OpEds, our country needs to adopt clean energy generation - and fast - if we don't want to be surpassed by China and other economies.
As I read the Chamber letter, I can't help but think they're blowing smoke (or CO2) at us. They support 'strong legislation' but not Waxman-Markey.
Well, dears at the Chamber, Waxman-Markey is a) strong legislation and b) the framework by which a House-Senate conference bill will eventually be negotiated. It's whats likely to pass this year and so just opposing it denies reality.
But then, a Scopes Trial for global warming was all about denying reality too.
Waxman-Markey and the related Senate bill just introduced will create incentives to develop clean-tech, new jobs, and start shifting our economy to the realities of what is coming. No matter what one believes about CO2 and warming, there is no denying that fossil fuels are limited, and that peak oil (and then peak nat. gas, etc) are coming.
I occasionally see ads that proclaim that we have a 100 year supply of nat. gas. Big whoop. Jesus walked the earth 2,000 years ago, and civilized culture has been around for at least 5,000 years.
100 more years of carbon fuels is a tiny drop in the bucket. It will outlast me, but I for one care about future generations and a transition to sustainable energy.
That it will help mitigate CO2 is an important bonus.
The Chamber is retrograde and dominated by aging men who don't get it. Extractive industries were historically very profitable, and they can't let go of the business model. But the world will leave them behind.
Posted by: Ralf W | Oct 7, 2009 11:40:33 AM
I agree with the CoC.
Posted by: Joe Eckhardt | Oct 7, 2009 1:50:18 PM
It is fascinating to note the religion of science that has done everything to promote politics over true science to push this "man is guilty" verdict on the world with regard to global warming.
No amount of true science will convince the "elites" who command science and political discourse in this country. Ultimately, this is all about penalizing Americans for existing and stripping us of our superpower status while enslaving us to a sub-standard mode of living under a team of liars who hold office falsely while claiming that they alone hold the right vision for the world.
Posted by: Jon | Oct 13, 2009 12:33:40 AM
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