Edible Apple

Apple has reportedly resigned from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over disagreements with recent statements the non-profit group has made regarding its stance on climate change, and the EPA’s potential role in regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

In a letter addressed to the groups president and chief executive, Thomas J. Donohue, Apple writes:

Apple is committed to protecting the environment and the communities in which we operate around the world.  We strongly object to the chamber’s recent comments opposing the E.P.A.’s effort to limit greenhouse gases.

As a company, we are working hard to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions by relying on renewable energy at our facilities and designing mroe energy-efficient products for our customers.  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.

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.  However, because the Chamber’s position differs so sharply with Apple’s, we have decided to resign our membership effective immediately.

Clarifying the Chamber of Commerce’s position on the matter, Donohue issued the following statement last week:

We believe that Congress should set climate change policy through legislation, rather than having the E.P.A. apply existing environmental statutes that were not created to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

Apparently that’s not good enough for Apple, or for a number of other companies who have recently left the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over similar environmental disagreements.

via New York Times