Energy Secretary, Greenpeace praise Apple for Chamber departure
Both the U.S. Secretary of Energy and Greenpeace have praised Apple's decision to abandon its membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over its stance on climate change.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu commented Thursday on the numerous companies that have left the chamber because they disagree with its stance on climate change. He spoke to reporters at a solar energy event in Washington D.C., according to Reuters.
"I think it's wonderful," Chu said, adding that the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are "part of our economic future."
The chamber recently made comments opposing the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to limit greenhouse gases, and Apple does not agree with that stance. The Mac maker made headlines this week when it declared its departure. Preceding the Cupertino, Calif., company were Nike, Pacific Gas & Electric, PNM Resources, and Exelon.
In his comments, Chu reprotedly urged the chamber to reconsider its stance on the issue. The chamber would rather see Congress set policy through legislation.
"I would encourage the Chamber of Commerce to realize the economic opportunity that the United States can lead in a new industrial revolution," he said.
After Apple announced its departure this week, the chamber fired back, accusing the Mac maker of not taking the time to understand the consortium's stance on the issues. Chamber President Thomas Donohue accused the company of forfeiting the chance to "advance a 21st century approach to climate change."
Also Thursday, the international nongovernmental organization Greenpeace came out in support, declaring "Bravo Apple!" in a news item on its Web site. The group took the opportunity to encourage two other big-name technology companies to do the same.
"Apple has stormed out of the biggest lobby group in the United States," Greenpeace said. "At issue is the US Chamber of Commerce's use of funds to oppose climate change legislation. Apple has done the right thing, and IBM and Microsoft should think different too."
It's quite a change from just a few years ago, when Greenpeace was targeting Apple over the use of toxic chemicals in its products. Since then, the company has made a concerted effort to improve its image. Just weeks ago, Apple began reporting its carbon emissions on its Web site.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu commented Thursday on the numerous companies that have left the chamber because they disagree with its stance on climate change. He spoke to reporters at a solar energy event in Washington D.C., according to Reuters.
"I think it's wonderful," Chu said, adding that the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are "part of our economic future."
The chamber recently made comments opposing the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to limit greenhouse gases, and Apple does not agree with that stance. The Mac maker made headlines this week when it declared its departure. Preceding the Cupertino, Calif., company were Nike, Pacific Gas & Electric, PNM Resources, and Exelon.
In his comments, Chu reprotedly urged the chamber to reconsider its stance on the issue. The chamber would rather see Congress set policy through legislation.
"I would encourage the Chamber of Commerce to realize the economic opportunity that the United States can lead in a new industrial revolution," he said.
After Apple announced its departure this week, the chamber fired back, accusing the Mac maker of not taking the time to understand the consortium's stance on the issues. Chamber President Thomas Donohue accused the company of forfeiting the chance to "advance a 21st century approach to climate change."
Also Thursday, the international nongovernmental organization Greenpeace came out in support, declaring "Bravo Apple!" in a news item on its Web site. The group took the opportunity to encourage two other big-name technology companies to do the same.
"Apple has stormed out of the biggest lobby group in the United States," Greenpeace said. "At issue is the US Chamber of Commerce's use of funds to oppose climate change legislation. Apple has done the right thing, and IBM and Microsoft should think different too."
It's quite a change from just a few years ago, when Greenpeace was targeting Apple over the use of toxic chemicals in its products. Since then, the company has made a concerted effort to improve its image. Just weeks ago, Apple began reporting its carbon emissions on its Web site.
Comments
Greenpeace:
...Chicken Little demographic...
How so?
Read much?
Might as well move their offices to K Street.
US Chamber of Commerce
www.uschamber.com
1615 H St NW
Washington, DC 20062
(202) 659-6000
You're off by just two blocks...... .
Cripple the US! Down with the old regime! Long live 20+% unemployment! Hail the workers' paradise that is the US . . . and ignore all those impenetrable brown clouds that are wafting from the east.
Down with the old guard, and damn the US CEO's to hell!
P.S. What should we do with all those US Senators (95-0) that refused to ratify Kyoto back in the 90's? Sick Eric Holder on 'em? Sounds like a good idea to me. Meanwhile, I'm going to sit back, relax, and (to quote the Dear Leader), wait for my electricity bill to "skyrocket"! Bang! Zoom! It's off to the moon, Alice!
deleted
How so?
Read much?
Nah. Little tough when you're busy doing that ostrich thing with your head.
Nah. Little tough when you're busy doing that ostrich thing with your head.
...Chicken Little demographic...
How so?
Read much?
Yes, but not the big words?
Gordon
Yes, but not the big words?
Gordon
Yeah, 'anthropogenic' is indeed a big word.
Unnecessarily so, when the IPCC could simply have used 'human-caused.'
Humans are a cause. (i.e. it's partly anthropogenic) And that, too, is pretty well agreed upon.
However, it's not a problem.
Greenpeace must be very pleased with how Apple are operating. Having drawn attention to their frankly poor practices previously, Apple really have turned the page. It just shows that negative publicity can make a difference. Let's hope they can get IBM, Microsoft, Nintendo et al to do the same.
The climate is changing. That's probably pretty well agreed upon.
Humans are a cause. (i.e. it's partly anthropogenic) And that, too, is pretty well agreed upon.
However, it's not a problem.
Wow, I love that argument, since I've never heard it before. I've always thought it was:
Climate change is not happening, and it's not a problem.
Cimate change is happening, and humans are causing it, and it is a problem.
It had never occurred to me there was a third option!
Not that I agree with you!!!
Hmm... I don't know if I'd be too happy if a government bureaucrat and a bunch of hippies were praising me
Take a stand on anything and people you're not entirely too comfortable with will try to co-opt your stand to imply that you agree with *them*.
Also: if you're calling Steven Chu a bureaucrat, you need to do some reading.