Apple abandons U.S. Chamber of Commerce over climate policy

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
In response to recent comments opposing efforts to limit greenhouse gases, Apple has resigned from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in protest.



Apple filed a letter with the chamber on Monday, noting that the company is "committed to protecting the environment and the communities in which we operate around the world." According to The New York Times, the chamber recently made comments opposing the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to limit greenhouse gases, and Apple does not agree with that stance.



"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," Catherine A. Novelli, vice president of Worldwide Government Affairs, wrote to the chamber. "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 in this effort."



Recently, the chamber threatened litigation if the EPA enacts greenhouse gas regulations. The chamber would rather see Congress set policy through legislation.



"We would prefer that the Chamber take a more progressive stance on this critical issue and play a constructive role in addressing the climate crisis," Novelli said. "However, because the Chamber's position differs so sharply with Apple's, we have decided to resign our membership effective immediately."



The Times noted that Apple is not alone in its departure: Pacific Gas & Electric, PNM Resources and Exelon, three utility companies, all resigned in recent weeks. Nike also withdrew from the chamber's board, but retained its membership.



Just weeks ago, Apple began reporting its carbon emissions, the first time the company offered such public disclosures. Apple said that its products produce a great deal more emissions than its operations.



Apple co-founder Steve Jobs also did an interview expanding on his company's green goals. The company began a public relations push years ago after it was targeted by Greenpeace over the use of toxic chemicals in its products.
«1345678

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 149
    iansilviansilv Posts: 283member
    Bad Ass Apple! I like it!



    Seriously, makes me want to buy more Apple stuff... and I think I will buy a en iMac for my wife shortly!
  • Reply 2 of 149
    sheffsheff Posts: 1,407member
    Wow, pretty balsy from apple, way to go. Just might be self defeating to quit an organization to force it to do something, but then again maybe it will actually push them into tougher standards.
  • Reply 3 of 149
    I'm glad that Apple has principles, but they're being silly on this particular issue. But that's for a political thread... which this will undoubtedly become. Bailing before that happens.
  • Reply 4 of 149
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by iansilv View Post


    Seriously, makes me want to buy more Apple stuff... and I think I will buy a en iMac for my wife shortly!



    My cynical nature tells me this is the reason why Apple did this.



    Hopefully I'm dead wrong.
  • Reply 5 of 149
    Kudos to Apple for seeing through the USCOC's disingenuous posturing and taking a principled position against it.
  • Reply 6 of 149
    The Goracle (undoubtedly while private-jetting back to his 10,000 sq ft mansion from some GW conference overseas) probably was threatening to resign from Apple's board, and they couldn't have, you know, the father of the internet and all, do that. Just like our so-called "health care crisis," so many people are simply sheep willing to be led to and fro by the con man of the hour.
  • Reply 7 of 149
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    Nice to see at least one company with principals. The Chamber of Commerce is bought and paid for by special interests, always has been.
  • Reply 8 of 149
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by coffeetime View Post


    The Goracle (undoubtedly while private-jetting back to his 10,000 sq ft mansion from some GW conference overseas) probably was threatening to resign from Apple's board, and they couldn't have, you know, the father of the internet and all, do that. Just like our so-called "health care crisis," so many people are simply sheep willing to be led to and fro by the con man of the hour.



    If you are going to digress I have to comment. The 'sheep' are those in need of such things a decent health care system (i.e. not a money making system for the insurance companies) that support the status quo because Fox News tells them to.
  • Reply 9 of 149
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by coffeetime View Post


    The Goracle (undoubtedly while private-jetting back to his 10,000 sq ft mansion from some GW conference overseas) probably was threatening to resign from Apple's board, and they couldn't have, you know, the father of the internet and all, do that. Just like our so-called "health care crisis," so many people are simply sheep willing to be led to and fro by the con man of the hour.



    One hundred percent in agreement with Coffeetime. Much as I admire Steve Jobs, Apple, and Apple's products, I simply can't stomach Al Gore and his looney Democrat politics. The one move Steve has made that I heartily disapprove is putting Gore on the Board of Directors.
  • Reply 10 of 149
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by davesmall View Post


    One hundred percent in agreement with Coffeetime. Much as I admire Steve Jobs, Apple, and Apple's products, I simply can't stomach Al Gore and his looney Democrat politics. The one move Steve has made that I heartily disapprove is putting Gore on the Board of Directors.



    So there is no Global Warming eh? lol It's just a cycle ... eh? Rush told you that i assume? ROFL
  • Reply 11 of 149
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by digitalclips View Post


    If you are going to digress I have to comment. The 'sheep' are those in need of such things a decent health care system (i.e. not a money making system for the insurance companies) that support the status quo because Fox News tells them to.



    I know this has nothing to do with the original thread but universal health care is the right of every individual on this planet. Most OECD nations have it and it costs less than the mess that the US calls health care. In Australia we have managed to do it with medium tax system and coverage for all especially more coverage of special medicines for those that need it more.



    It's time for the citizens of the US to stop being duped by the rubbish about the scary government and see whats happening every else where health care is free or very cheap and is of the same or higher standards for more people in more locations.



    Back on topic

    Also, I am a green peace member and even if we picked on Apple (and not every computer maker) they have come through with the goods and this is a very ballsy move. good on them.
  • Reply 12 of 149
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by digitalclips View Post


    So there is no Global Warming eh? lol It's just a cycle ... eh? Rush told you that i assume? ROFL



    No pun intended, but I suggest you conserve your energy. It's been amply demonstrated what happens to a low-wattage bulb when too much is applied to it. If you wish to shed light, apply your energy to bulbs with the proper capacity.
  • Reply 13 of 149
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by davesmall View Post


    One hundred percent in agreement with Coffeetime. Much as I admire Steve Jobs, Apple, and Apple's products, I simply can't stomach Al Gore and his looney Democrat politics. The one move Steve has made that I heartily disapprove is putting Gore on the Board of Directors.



    Most scientists agree that global warming is happening regardless of who is causing it. they also have figured out it is happening faster than we original thought. also, CO2 and CO are the key gases causing this. Regardless of it being man made or not we need to reduce our CO and CO2 so we can get this planet back to a more habitable level and reduce the ocean levels before it is too late.



    The island countries close to Australia are already losing land and one Island has almost been completely wiped out. They will be the first global warming refugees.
  • Reply 14 of 149
    linjlinj Posts: 12member
    Apple, the beneficiary of competing well in what has been up to now one of our least regulated and, thus, most successful, industries, is far too political -- and, given the above, hypocritically so.



    They have put the odious, loud, idiotic, and self-serving Al Gore on the board, donated lots of money to support gay marriage, and now this.



    Socialist climate change theories remain highly controversial and much debated. For Apple to, once again, take a leftist political position at the expense of alienating a good percentage of the buying public is simply stupid.



    Steve Jobs' ill-considered and pseudo-intellectual forays into the political extensions of his former hippie days should by now have matured logically. As they have not, he should stay focused on what he is good at, and that is not political thought and discourse.



    As an Apple fan and investor who has evangelized Apple products for many years, this "me generation" "self-congratulating" baby-boom nonsense simply makes my job more difficult.



    Grow up, Apple. Grow up, Steve
  • Reply 15 of 149
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Linj View Post


    Apple, the beneficiary of competing well in what has been up to now one of our least regulated and, thus, most successful, industries, is far too political -- and, given the above, hypocritically so.



    They have put the odious, loud, idiotic, and self-serving Al Gore on the board, donated lots of money to support gay marriage, and now this.



    Socialist climate change theories remain highly controversial and much debated. For Apple to, once again, take a leftist political position at the expense of alienating a good percentage of the buying public is simply stupid.



    Steve Jobs' ill-considered and pseudo-intellectual forays into the political extensions of his former hippie days should by now have matured logically. As they have not, he should stay focused on what he is good at, and that is not political thought and discourse.



    As an Apple fan and investor who has evangelized Apple products for many years, this "me generation" "self-congratulating" baby-boom nonsense simply makes my job more difficult.



    Grow up, Apple. Grow up, Steve





    Perfectly stated. I'm also an Apple investor and someone who has purchased hundreds of Macintosh computers over the years for our business. Apple has been a supplier, a client for our services, and a much admired technology innovator. On the personal level, I love my unibody 17" MacBook Pro and my iPhone 3gs.



    However, I'm strongly offended by Gore's presence on the Board and by political moves like this one. Will Michael Moore be the next Board member? Why not? He's an Al Gore clone (similar views and exactly the same credibility).
  • Reply 16 of 149
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Al Gore-hypocrite! Do something about the Chinese human rights abuse that makes your products firstly before your environmental BS. And China is the biggest environmental hazard on this planet anyway.
  • Reply 17 of 149
    Way to go Apple!
  • Reply 18 of 149
    ransonranson Posts: 69member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Linj View Post


    Apple, the beneficiary of competing well in what has been up to now one of our least regulated and, thus, most successful, industries, is far too political -- and, given the above, hypocritically so.



    They have put the odious, loud, idiotic, and self-serving Al Gore on the board, donated lots of money to support gay marriage, and now this.



    Socialist climate change theories remain highly controversial and much debated. For Apple to, once again, take a leftist political position at the expense of alienating a good percentage of the buying public is simply stupid.



    Steve Jobs' ill-considered and pseudo-intellectual forays into the political extensions of his former hippie days should by now have matured logically. As they have not, he should stay focused on what he is good at, and that is not political thought and discourse.



    As an Apple fan and investor who has evangelized Apple products for many years, this "me generation" "self-congratulating" baby-boom nonsense simply makes my job more difficult.



    Grow up, Apple. Grow up, Steve





    Speaking of growing up.... discussions of gay marriage have no place on this forum, particularly in the context of climate change policy, so leave can leave your flamebait on that topic at the door -- most don't care, and the ones who do are just going to take offense to your statements. In fact, the entire discussion about Gore is pointless -- we have no idea what role (likely none) he had in Apple's resignation.



    Climate Change is not a political issue, it's a tangible and measurable force to which we are undeniably contributing. It's putting many species at risk, including our own. We can't afford to politicize such a serious threat, and the people who are playing politics with it, including bemoaning conservationists, they become the ones who need to grow up. We can argue semantics about how big our impact is on this threat all we want, but no one can deny that we are contributing. So we need to do everything we can as a world community to reverse the trend. If that means calling out organizations who are more interested in their bottom dollar than the future of our planet, then that's what we should be doing. Apple again made the right move here with respect to Climate Change -- it was not in the least political or immature.
  • Reply 19 of 149
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by xwiredtva View Post


    Way to go Apple!



    Misinformed MUCH?



    (thank you for teaching me how to enlarge )
  • Reply 20 of 149
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Linj View Post


    Apple, the beneficiary of competing well in what has been up to now one of our least regulated and, thus, most successful, industries, is far too political -- and, given the above, hypocritically so.



    They have put the odious, loud, idiotic, and self-serving Al Gore on the board, donated lots of money to support gay marriage, and now this.



    Socialist climate change theories remain highly controversial and much debated. For Apple to, once again, take a leftist political position at the expense of alienating a good percentage of the buying public is simply stupid.



    Steve Jobs' ill-considered and pseudo-intellectual forays into the political extensions of his former hippie days should by now have matured logically. As they have not, he should stay focused on what he is good at, and that is not political thought and discourse.



    As an Apple fan and investor who has evangelized Apple products for many years, this "me generation" "self-congratulating" baby-boom nonsense simply makes my job more difficult.



    Grow up, Apple. Grow up, Steve



    I can understand being opposed to climate change legislation, but what does same sex marriage have to do with bad business practices?
Sign In or Register to comment.