Apple Quits Business Lobby Over Climate Opposition

categories: Consumer, Global Warming Denial, Greenhouse Gas, Policy & Legislation, Science

Published October 05, 2009 @ 01:36PM PT

iPod Touch with picture of Earth on screen

Today we iPod Touch addicts and MacBook users can claim one less guilt trip: Apple Computer has become the latest high-profile defection from the US Chamber of Commerce, over the group's opposition to curbing greenhouse gas pollution.

In a letter dated today, communicating the company's immediate resignation, Catherine A. Novelli, the vice-president of worldwide government affairs at Apple wrote, "We strongly object to the chamber's recent comments opposing the E.P.A.'s effort to limit greenhouse gases." Kate Galbraith at The New York Times' "Green Inc." blog snagged the letter and put it online:

As a company, we are working hard to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions by relying on renewable energy at our facilities and designing more energy-efficient products for our customers. We have undertaken this unilaterally and without government mandate, because we believe it is the right thing to do. For those companies who cannot or will not do the same, Apple supports regulating greenhouse gas emissions, and it is frustrating to find the Chamber at odds with us on this effort.

The US Chamber of Commerce, one of the nation's most powerful business lobbies, has steadfastly opposed curbs on greenhouse gas pollution, via either a cap-and-trade market or mandates under the Clean Air Act.

In late August, the Chamber demanded that the Environmental Protection Agency justify its finding that excessive, human-created CO2 represented a danger to human health and the environment. William Kovacs, the chamber's senior vice president for environment, technology and regulatory affairs, told the Los Angeles Times this hearing would be "the Scopes monkey trial of the 21st century...It would be evolution versus creationism. It would be the science of climate change on trial."

In recent weeks, the major utilities Exelon, PGE and PNM Resources have left the Chamber over its climate obstructionism; Nike resigned its position on the Chamber's board on Sept. 30, but remains a member, it says, to advocate from within for strong action on global warming.

Full disclosure: In addition to using Apple Computer products for the past 15 years, I own sufficient shares in the company to cover a really swell day at a spa.

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Comments (4)

Go Apple! If onlly we can get more companies to do the same ;D

Posted by Rachel Russell on 10/05/2009 @ 02:34PM PT
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More than a little ironic given that Apple is the poster child for using slick marketing to turn planned product obsolesence into a virtue.

Posted by Mitch Nauffts on 10/05/2009 @ 06:22PM PT
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Here are nine candidates :

http://discovermagazine.com/photos/09-industries-that-will-be-most-screwed-by-global-warming

Posted by Oceania OZ on 10/05/2009 @ 08:53PM PT
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Thank you, Apple! You are to be commended for your foresight and supported in your business endeavors!

I do hope that other companies will join you in your concern for our world!!!

Warm regards, Jeannie Gibbons jgjgjg06@yahoo.com

Posted by Jeannie Gibbons on 10/06/2009 @ 11:37AM PT
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