A few weeks ago on Twitter I learned about Blog Action Day ’09: Climate Change and signed up right away to participate. It is really exciting to see that 1000′s of others have teamed up to blog on this topic all on the same day. It is so amazing to be a part of this movement towards a better future. I can’t wait to see the results!
Also a few weeks ago, I applied to be on the board of the Green Chamber of Commerce and as of a few days ago, I am officially on the board. The timing couldn’t have come at a better time. At the same time that I was signing up for Blog Action Day and joining the Green Chamber of Commerce another movement was starting to happen. Three energy companies Exelon, Pacific Gas and Electric, and New Mexico’s largest electricity provider, PNM announced their decision to leave the US Chamber of Commerce. Most recently Apple also announced their decision to leave the Chamber. In addition Nike has left the board.
Why you ask? Because these companies don’t believe in the stance that the US Chamber of Commerce is taking on Climate Change. According to an Oct 3, 2009 Boston Globe article “The chamber claims that limits on greenhouse gas emissions by Congress or the Environmental Protection Agency would be “a job killer,’’ would “completely shut the country down,’’ or, even worse, “virtually destroy the United States.’’
Apparently from all the articles I have read from the San Francisco Chronicle, the LA Times, and various blogs on this subject this could be the beginning of some much needed change in the business community. Businesses are starting to see that working towards a clean energy future is going to be in their best interest for the long term validity of their company.
The Green Chamber of Commerce offers a strong voice in favor of environmental policies such as AB32, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act, which sets important emissions-reduction goals. It is our hope that companies that are looking for organizations who represent their values will consider joining the Green Chamber of Commerce.
Through our actions as business owners and policy makers we will join forces to move in a direction that will address the fact that climate change is real and that it’s happening whether we like it or not and is starting to affect our every day lives and the bottom line of our businesses.
What’s the position on climate change of your local Chamber of Commerce chapter?
