Apple quits the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over its ‘frustrating’ global warming denialism.
Apple quits the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over its ‘frustrating’ global warming denialism.
There has recently been a “business backlash” against the Chamber of Commerce over its refusal to accept the science of global warming and lobbying against climate change legislation. The New York Times reports today that the latest company to join this backlash is Apple, which wrote in a letter to the Chamber that it has been “frustrating” that the business federation has been fighting efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions:
“We strongly object to the chamber’s recent comments opposing the E.P.A.’s effort to limit greenhouse gases,” wrote Catherine A. Novelli, the vice-president of worldwide government affairs at Apple, in a letter dated today and addressed to Thomas J. Donohue, president and chief executive of the chamber. Click here to read the letter.
“Apple supports regulating greenhouse gas emissions, and it is frustrating to find the chamber at odds with us in this effort,” Ms. Novelli continued.
Apple’s resignation was effective immediately, the letter said. The move comes a few weeks after Apple expanded the environmental disclosures on its products.
Apple joins Pacific Gas & Energy, Public Service Company of New Mexico, and Exelon in an ever-growing list of companies who are leaving the Chamber over its ideological opposition to any serious action over climate change.
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Apple quits the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over its ‘frustrating’ global warming denialism.
– - iQuit.
October 5th, 2009 at 4:43 pmDuh duh dunn dunn dunn, another one bites the dust.
October 5th, 2009 at 4:43 pmWow.
Unlike the Glenn Beck advertiser thing, there really isn’t an organized group reaching out to these companies and encouraging them to separate themselves from the CoC. They just see the writing on the wall.
October 5th, 2009 at 4:45 pmNo surprise there. Apple (and Microsoft and Google and others) come off as being pretty “progressive” in most areas…you know, except trade. The CoC will keep shedding members until it painfully and humiliatingly reverses course.
Also, badmoodman,
Hilarious.
October 5th, 2009 at 4:47 pmThe beat goes on — one by one, the CoC will lose members with its backward-looking anti-science focus.
October 5th, 2009 at 4:52 pmWhat’s it going to take?
Hooray! I can continue to use my iMac and iPod in good conscience.
October 5th, 2009 at 4:53 pmLOL! The Chamber is going to be filled with a bunch of old, white Global Denying Nimrods! Sounds like the Repug Party in general don’t it? I can just hear their voices echoing in the empty room…
October 5th, 2009 at 4:57 pmApple’s next ad: “Greenhouse gases — they’re so PC…”
October 5th, 2009 at 4:58 pmYAY!!!
once an apple always an apple! only puter i’ve ever owned…
i don’t even know what “right click” means!
makes me feel even better about the new one i’m asking santa for…
October 5th, 2009 at 4:59 pmEnnuiDivine,
I’m not really sure how progressive microsoft is. Especially with there different catagories of who’s an employee, who’s not, who’s a contractor, who’s not, who get’s to use the gym, the company parking lot etc…
ElBruce,
I’m working on it.
October 5th, 2009 at 4:59 pmKind of sad ain’t it? The CORPORATIONS look like the good guys! I feel like I woke up in Oz.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:04 pmI’m on a Mac right now. I feel very green about it.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:06 pmThe way things are going, pretty soon that chamber will sound
like an echo chamber.
HELLO hello hello, is anybody in there ?
October 5th, 2009 at 5:09 pm“Hi, I’m a Mac…”
“…and I’m a PC.”
“And I’m Sean Hannity. Tonight, we expose the government’s green-jobs conspiracy and how it will kill America’s existing jobs.”
*Mac and PC beat up Hannity*
October 5th, 2009 at 5:12 pmWhat’s the bet on when the Chamber of Commerce releases a statement saying that they have been misquoted by the mean ol’ liberal media and money isn’t the only green they worry about….
October 5th, 2009 at 5:13 pmThe Chamber of Commerce represents business interests and businesses are walking away from the organization.
Rocket science is getting easier every day.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:14 pmAs soon as big business figures out ways to make a killing off of Global Warming they’ll have an “epiphany” and quit denying it.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:15 pmMMMMM
October 5th, 2009 at 5:15 pmApple…… this test good.
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
We’re sorry, Ken. We meant to say “climate change”.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:21 pmHi Kenneth:
October 5th, 2009 at 5:23 pmCouldI get some explaination as to how you came to this conclusion? Thanks my man!
Kenneth says:
Interesting and intelligent argument, Kenneth.
(The above was an actual example of BS, for future reference, Kenneth!)
October 5th, 2009 at 5:23 pmWouldn’t it be nice if Apple did some anti-Chamber of Commerce PR along the way? Talk about a organization I’d like to lose some it’s squeaky-queen, quiet-and-reasonable aura.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:29 pmDear Apple,
Quit using slave labor and third world juntas to exploit indigenous people and their resources, so you can make a billion dollars off of the same crap,that you just made 6 months ago.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:31 pmOh and since we’re doing math.
Kenneth=Global Warming.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:32 pmTime for a name change Mr. Donohue. How does “Chamber of Oil and Coal Companies” strike you?
October 5th, 2009 at 5:32 pmWhere’d Kenneth go?
October 5th, 2009 at 5:33 pmI’ve said it before and I’ll say it again!
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is against Americans. They are Anti-Labor (organized or NOT) and Anti-Anything that does not allow “Business” to run wild. They want a free-for-all-wild-west environment.
You can read their about their nutz agenda here:
http://www.uschamber.com/
ALWAYS REMEMBER…if the U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports it, it is BAD for America. If they are against it, it would be REALLY GOOD for America.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:34 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
If you’re a Christian the earth is 6000 years old.
Now you’ve got a handle on this whole ‘B.S.’ thing, Kenneth! Good for you!
October 5th, 2009 at 5:40 pmConclusion: Not enough data by comparison of the age of the earth and logical thinking using deductive reasoning.
Conclusion: Someone did not take their Ritalin today by comparison of sense and Kenneth thinking he’s making it.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:42 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Kenneth
October 5th, 2009 at 5:44 pmInteresting. Do you have any training in the sciences? If you are a Christian I assume you think two of everything can live on a boat and that a dude can live in a cetacean stomach. Do you believe those things as well? What about talking reptiles? I just need to know what I am dealing with before we start… Thanks again. A talking flammable shubbery is sort of odd as well but whatever…
Kenneth says:
Not enough data to prove anything. If you’re a Christian the earth is 6000 years old. If you are a secular scientist the earth is Millions & Millions & Millions old. The data is how old? — 50-100 years?????
Your point?
October 5th, 2009 at 5:45 pmKenneth… your list has 40 climatologist on it! WOW! And did you know that if I had just a few more credits in science I would qualify as a ’scientist’ on that list!!! (and my degree is in playwriting, AWESOME!!)
October 5th, 2009 at 5:46 pm31,000. Wow! How does that compare to the number that agree? Could you look that one up for me Kenneth?
October 5th, 2009 at 5:47 pmNow let’s assume the earth is 6000 years old. Why did this cycling you speak of just begin a few hundred years ago?
October 5th, 2009 at 5:48 pmThe data is how old? — 50-100 years?????
October 5th, 2009 at 5:52 pm–
Do you mean that ice core data?
dbadass says:
Now let’s assume the earth is 6000 years old.
– - Happy birthday Earth. 6,012 years young this month. The world was created Oct. 23, 4004 B.C., to be exact.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=110918
Money quote: “The book, now published in English for the first time, is a favorite of homeschoolers and those who take ancient history seriously.”
October 5th, 2009 at 5:56 pmWell, it’s a petition.
This is not 31,000 scientists presenting evidence that global warming/climate change doesn’t exist. This is 31,000 signing a document that says it doesn’t exist.
This is like 31,000 birthers who say that Obama’s birth certificate doesn’t exist.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:57 pmKenneth
October 5th, 2009 at 6:01 pmHow do you feel about the Keeling Curve data or would you rather talk all those fake fossils taking up space in all those museums around the world?
This is not 31,000 scientists presenting evidence that global warming/climate change doesn’t exist. This is 31,000 signing a document that says it doesn’t exist.
This is 31,000 people who possess at least a B.S. in Science signing a petition… as I said, I almost meet the requirements for ’scientist’ on this petition.
Another quality example of B.S., Kenneth…
October 5th, 2009 at 6:02 pmKenneth????
October 5th, 2009 at 6:20 pmRemember back in the day when climate threads were so hilarious?
Kenneth says: Incredibly Stupid Chit
October 5th, 2009 at 6:32 pmMight there be someone out there willing to pick up Kenneth’s dropped campaign?
October 5th, 2009 at 6:35 pmKenneth: “The Earth’s climate has been going in cycles for hundreds of years.”
OK, that’s just awesome.
October 5th, 2009 at 6:35 pmWhy are they still bringing up that ridiculous list? There are hack economists, businessmen, disk jockeys and weather reporters on that list pretending to be scientists.
October 5th, 2009 at 6:37 pmI wonder what Mr. Duke thinks….
October 5th, 2009 at 6:47 pmwhere are those pc’s made?
October 5th, 2009 at 6:51 pmSo you were making a holier than thou point?
October 5th, 2009 at 7:01 pmAl Gore is ruining my life.
October 5th, 2009 at 7:10 pmWhat the GOP REALLY means … says:
Al Gore is ruining my life.
– - I don’t think some of you are getting the Colbert-ish schtick of ‘GOP.’
October 5th, 2009 at 7:46 pmhttp://www.apple.com/hotnews/agreenerapple/
Psst… ginslinger! For you…
Do you agree that we need to put MORE pressure on companies to keep manufacturing jobs in the United States and environmental standards high?
Awesome… thanks!
October 5th, 2009 at 7:49 pmKenneth says:
Kenneth=Brainwashed moron
On your BEST day.
October 5th, 2009 at 8:05 pmKenneth
YOU are a moron. I am a Christian who thinks only idiots believe the Earth is only 6,000 years old. My GOD you are stupid. There are about a thousand peer reviewed studies supporting Global Climate Change and a clear scientific consensus. Those facts are unassailable. You prefer propaganda and brainwashing to reality. Good luck with that
October 5th, 2009 at 8:09 pmHurray for Apple!
As a proud Apple owner and user, I commend this intelligent corporation for going against the grain.
I love seeing so many thick-headed repiggies running around with Apple products.
It always gives me a giddy feeling.
October 5th, 2009 at 8:16 pm“Kenneth” just prattles all the crap and horse manure dumped into his little head at the holy roller megachurch he attends.
He gets a warm and fuzzy feeling from all that bombast, saccharine sentimentality
and banal homoerotic love songs to Jesus, ready to sop up all the political crap that his church peddles in place of the authentic teachings of Jesus.
Evangelicalism today spends a fortune on the incredibly tacky Vegas-style
October 5th, 2009 at 8:20 pmshowbiz atmosphere.
Kenneth says:
Conclusion: Not enough data by comparison of the age of the earth and logical thinking using deductive reasoning. — The Earth’s climate has been going in cycles for hundreds of years.
You must be picking and choosing what data to include. There are a lot of old weather records, although not precise. In addition, there are core samples of the North and South Pole that reflect scientific data to extrapolate weather records. Then we have geologic studies of land masses, trees and other things that we can extrapolate data for weather information.
October 5th, 2009 at 8:24 pmThere is more than enough data. Some people just are ignoring it because it does not fit in their view on the issue.
Speaking of scientists Kenny, here’s a story about Elizabeth H. Blackburn one three winners of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Just as it is with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, good science and the Republican party don’t mix either.
h/t Andrew Leonard,Salon
October 5th, 2009 at 8:38 pmI usually say that the big disastrous turning point for the Republican Party was katrina. That’s when they screwed up part of the American mythology: that Americans alwayspitch in to help, no matter what, and we get the job done. But as Katrina fades (though the problems do not), it’s climate change that continues to marginalize the Party.
October 5th, 2009 at 9:33 pmI’m serious: you can go to a party and hear “I don’t like Obama” and even ’socialized medicine” and conversation will continue. But let someone say “Global warming is a hoax,” and they stop talking, because they know the guy is simply not-going-to-listen.
Apple, once again, is a day late and a dollar short! Remember the Apple IIA, Apple Lisa, and Apple III? Once again Apple is coming late to realize who its constituents are.
October 5th, 2009 at 9:35 pmI don’t remember there being an Apple IIA. I remember the Apple II, and the Apple II plus.
October 5th, 2009 at 10:18 pmDoc Rock, I had an Apple ///, and I don’t get your comment at all. It was a fine machine that was meant to go head to head with the IBM PC of the period, and served me well. How is that an indictment of Apple?
October 5th, 2009 at 11:27 pmKenneth says:
Not enough data to prove anything. If you’re a Christian the earth is 6000 years old.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
_________
No. Actually, if you’re a Christian, the Earth is 4.57 billion years old, give or take a few hundred million.
Same if you’re a Jew or a Muslim or a Hindu or a Bokononist or an Atheist.
Belief has nothing to do with it – the facts speak for themselves.
October 6th, 2009 at 8:34 amI feel like jumping in this and getting told how stupid I am. The arguement isnt about ‘climate change’, but about whether or not it is man-made. The theory is that we are causing it through the release of greenhouse gasses, primarily CO2. However, there are a few weak points in this line of thinking.
One is that 1998 was the hottest year on record, and every year since then has cooled. How is it, if our production of CO2 has increased, is the average global temp going down?
The second weak point is just how much CO2 is acutally in the air. I believe the last report I read (has been a couple of weeks, so I dont have a link) put the measure at .2% or .02%. Either way it is a very tiny percentage, and more than likely statistically unimportant.
Using the ice core data that someone else has mentioned, we can see wild swings in the earths climate going back a few hundred thousand years. From the studies that I have read, we are actually coming off of a fairly cool period, and are due for a little warming, at least until the next ice age.
Based on the things I have read, I dont believe that we can say greenhouses gasses are the cause of global warming/climate change.
One last thing, the age of the Earth is based off of analysis of the Moon. The theory is that the Moon was a part of Earth at some point and was thrown off during a collision with another very large object. We have to use the Moon to judge Earth’s age, as the Earth is very active geologically, meaning there isnt a rock on the planet that is even half the age of the planet (I believe the oldest found were in Greenland, at just over one billion years old)
October 6th, 2009 at 10:13 amcable says:
I feel like jumping in this and getting told how stupid I am.
I’ll be more than happy to inform you how stupid you are.
One is that 1998 was the hottest year on record, and every year since then has cooled. How is it, if our production of CO2 has increased, is the average global temp going down?
Because weather and climate are not a one-input one-output equation. There are hundreds of factors governing the climate, from Malenkovitch cycles to solar output to local heat islands to cyclical events such as El Nino and La Nina. The human contribution is one factor.
And your premise is incorrect. The average global temperature has not gone down over the past twelve years. It’s had some up years and some down years, but the ten-year trend is still a rising one.
The second weak point is just how much CO2 is acutally in the air. I believe the last report I read (has been a couple of weeks, so I dont have a link) put the measure at .2% or .02%. Either way it is a very tiny percentage, and more than likely statistically unimportant.
The atmosphere and the climate system doesn’t work based on “statistical significance.” It works based on equilibrium. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere was 275 parts per million. Today, the planet is at 390 parts per million and rising at 2ppm per year. It may seem insignificant to you, but the effect this has on the climate is catastrophic – oceans begin to acidify, glaciers melt, arable land desertifies, rains shift, droughts persist, and species die out. The fossil record shows plenty of examples of mass extinctions associated with CO2 levels above 450 ppm or so.
Using the ice core data that someone else has mentioned, we can see wild swings in the earths climate going back a few hundred thousand years. From the studies that I have read, we are actually coming off of a fairly cool period, and are due for a little warming, at least until the next ice age.
Yes, and they happen over long periods of time, giving the biosphere time to adjust. We’re doing it over a few decades. The effect will be catastrophic.
One last thing, the age of the Earth is based off of analysis of the Moon. The theory is that the Moon was a part of Earth at some point and was thrown off during a collision with another very large object.
Wrong. Asteroids, actually. The age of the Earth was determined by measuring the U-238 to Pb-206 ratio in meteorites, which had to form at the same time as all the other bodies in the solar system. The date of 4.5 billion years has been confirmed by measuring the age of some terrestrial crystals and some lunar rocks, as well as by helioseismic mesurements of the sun.
October 6th, 2009 at 12:57 pmanybody ask why GE wants climate legislation?
…lol what sheep
October 6th, 2009 at 1:35 pmJSGolightly says:
anybody ask why GE wants climate legislation?
…lol what sheep
October 6th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
___________
They stand to benefit financially from R&D investment in green technology?
OH THE HORROR!!!!
What part of capitalism do you hate, exactly?
October 6th, 2009 at 2:44 pmAgree with poster #3. If corporations think it will benefit them, they are for it, if not, they are against i.e its all about the money and always will be. These companies see the writing on the wall and don’t want any consumer backlash affecting their profits.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:36 amWell yeah cable you ARE stupid 1998 was NOT the hottest year on record NOR has the temperature reduced since then. THOSE are lies.
2005 was the hottest year on record with 2007 second check out the NASA data yourself. It has a graph that shows how utterly wrong you are.
Put a VERY small amount of polonium in a glass of water then drink it and get back to me about how small amounts of something cant be dangerous.
Yeah we get that you prefer to believe what Rush told you to actual science. Good luck with that
Near Hudson Bay they found a rock more than 4 billion years old. Google is your friend. You really have no idea what you are talking about
October 8th, 2009 at 11:44 amThank you for your sharing.!
October 11th, 2009 at 4:23 pm