Apple just bailed on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, citing the business organization's view on climate change. The Chamber of Commerce doesn't accept the notion that people are the force behind global warming and has called for public hearings to question the evidence that many accept. But, this has led several companies to leave the group, with Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) only the latest.
The technology company stated through Catherine Novelli, a vice president of government affairs, that it would "prefer that the chamber take a more progressive stance on this critical issue and play a constructive role in addressing the climate crisis." Apple resigned its membership "effective immediately."
In September, three major utilities left the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Exelon (NYSE: EXC), PG&E (NYSE: PCG), and PNM Resources (NYSE: PNM) – all over climate change. This has prompted the organization to say it leans toward "mainstream, common sense views," but it still opposes June legislation on climate change that passed the U.S. House of Representatives. So, there's a bit of a conflicted view right now, and it looks like nobody's buying it.
When it comes to any sort of business organization, companies vote with their time and their cash.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-06-2009 @ 5:31PM
foxxx333 said...
I decry the idea that carbon dioxide is a pollutant or that human activities should be curtailed in order to limit the amount of atmospheric carbon. Maximum concentration of atmospheric carbon is less than 0.4% of atmospheric gases. Restrictions on emissions could limit this amount but could not appreciably reduce it. All animals exhale carbon dioxide. All vegetation uses atmospheric carbon as food for growth, thereby storing carbon in physical structures.
Efficient removal of carbon from the atmosphere would limit the amount of food available for plants, limiting growth and, hence, the amount of carbon that could be stored. If somehow we were able to eliminate carbon from the atmosphere, all plant life would die, eliminating many food sources. Other life, including human life, would suffer snd dwindle. Those who favor taxes on the use of carbon must know these facts.
One then wonders, "What is their motive?" It is nothing less than a desire to limit human activities, including if necessary a limit on the number of persons inhabiting the planet. I hope that Apple will not in the future lend credence to the idea that limits on human activities can appreciably alter world climatology. The primary proponent of the shameful idea that mankind can appreciably alter world climate serves on Apple's board, so I understand Apple's current position.
Current research indicates Solar cycles are the primary cause of global warming and cooling. Our primary energy source is the Sun. Warming trends that ended the many Ice Ages in world history occurred in the absence of SUVs and other tools of modern civilization. To tax carbon emissions is folly, if the objective is to reduce global warming. To tax carbon emissions will however tend to halt economic growth, if that is the objective.
10-06-2009 @ 7:28PM
radman1331 said...
It's all political/ PR for Apple. They took a trendy stance on the issue that's popular with their user-base.
10-07-2009 @ 12:10AM
Beltway Greg said...
Despite its name, "The United States Chamber of Commerce," or location, across from the White House, the Chamber is in no way affiliated with the United States government. If you look very closely on its publications and stationary you will notice a disclaimer affirming this fact. The Chamber is an extension of the republican party and as the GOP falls out of favor, so shall the chamber. In good times it is supported by a handful of large businesses.
In bad times it fights to maintain relevancy. This is one of those bad times. Either the chamber recognizes the writing on the wall or in about five years you'll be able to buy a superbly located condominium with a view of the president's house.