Apple is Next to Leave US Chamber of Commerce, Forcefully

Following action by Nike, the nation’s leading utility company, and others, Apple resigned from the US Chamber of Commerce this week, and in force.

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Apple vice president Catherine A. Novelli wrote to the US Chamber of Commerce president, Thomas J. Donahue: “We strongly object to the Chamber’s recent comments opposing the EPA’s effort to limit greenhouse gases.” She went on to mention that Apple is doing many things to try to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and develop energy efficient products. Then, she pointed out that Apple is doing this all voluntarily but believes others who do not do so voluntarily should be required to do so by government legislation.

“For those companies that 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.”

Unlike Nike who decided to step down from the Board of Directors but is remaining in the Chamber of Commerce in order to advocate for climate change action within the Chamber’s committee system, Apple decided to resign completely and immediately. Novelli wrote: “because the Chamber’s position differs so sharply from Apple’s, we have decided to resign our membership effective immediately.”

This all comes after the Chamber wanted to challenge the EPA in court regarding greenhouse gas regulation and climate legislation.

Apple, Nike, Johnson & Johnson (yes, the world’s largest healthcare company) and other major companies are challenging one of the strongest climate legislation opponents in what is truly significant corporate activism.

Who will be next?

Related Articles:
1) Nike Opposes US Chamber of Commerce & Leaves Board, over Climate Change
2) Nation’s Largest Utility Leaves US Chamber of Commerce — Because of Climate Change?
3) UK’s Tony Blair Finds Climate Action Will Increase Global GDP & Create Millions of Jobs
4) Google Earth Climate & Rainforest Tours

Image Credit 1: kyz via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: Andrew* via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 3: TomStardust via flickr under a Creative Commons license