As a business owner of a company that specializes in online strategy and communication for progressive causes, I know how business can be an incredibly powerful force for good in our world.
I see smart business models, like Product (RED) deliver in ways that frankly charities can't match. The business of mobile communications, texting, created the platform that raised tens of millions in aid for Haiti in just hours.
So it has always frustrated me that some businesses, primarily traditional energy, oil and coal companies have so dominated the discussion about climate change, that there is the perception that business is opposed to climate change progress, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Just the other day, I saw a full page ad in "Politico" that had a number of amazing companies, all asking very smart simple questions about climate change and about getting America to take the lead once again and innovate for clean energy solutions. Oh, and help improve our national security in the process.
The US Chamber of Commerce, fueled by dirty energy money, has been on the other side of the equation, pushing back on any progress in Washington and really taking climate change denial to a new level. They should be ashamed of themselves, pocketing short term profit at the expense of our planet. And what makes matters worse is I am sure, in some parts of the country, the Chamber is an integral and valuable part of the business community.
But on this issue, they are literally losing thousands of members.
Which is ironic, because while people are leaving the Chamber, they are joining a new group. American Business For Clean Energy.
This group has a pretty simple goal:
American Businesses for Clean Energy (ABCE) is an initiative to demonstrate large and small business support for Congressional enactment of clean energy and climate legislation that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
And some pretty strong success. In just a few weeks, it's gone from 19 members initially. To 500, then 1,000 and now it's 1,283 businesses have signed up. I make the note of the specific number because yesterday when I drafted this, it was only 1,221 so 60 businesses yesterday alone signed up.
I hope that 60 left the Chamber as well.
I signed up Common Sense New Media Strategies. If you own your own business, I would encourage you to do so as well. You can see all the businesses that have signed up by state.
And if you are a consumer, I might add one more thought.
Would you rather support a business that's going to take your money and use it to fuel climate change denials? Or would you rather support a money that's going to support what you believe in?
Follow James Boyce on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jamesboyce
What is the right carbon footprint per person for citizens of the world? Do you favor the US committing to have the same per person carbon footprint as China by, say, 2020? If we halve ours and China doubles theirs the carbon output of the world's two largest CO2 emitters would be exactly the same as if we stayed the same, relatively? Will the American people buy into this?
What options do you see to the oil and natural gas you seem to see as awful? Do you favor moving completely off of coal as a fuel for power? What does that mean for energy security/independence?
Do you favor commoditizing electricity costs across the USA so all Americans pay the same for their electricity on a kw/hr basis? Will Public Service Commissions, other regulators and politicians go along with you on this? You certainly don't expect those states most dependent on coal as a fuel for electricity generation to bear the most costs - these rust belt states are on their knees economically already.
Just asking.
There is a spreading awareness of personal responsibility to save energy in homes and reduce private car use. However, about two thirds of emissions occur initially in factories or on farmland. That these emissions become embodied in consumer items is almost always ignored. The consumer who buys a product is ultimately responsible for the emissions the product has caused in its production. We have a responsibility to effect those emissions by informed purchases and political action.
Our town has moved to solar power for all municipal buildings. Year one saved 25% in utility costs. We were able to save some of what would have been necessary to cut. Since local budgets can no longer rely on state or federal monies, our mayor rightly convinced the residents of making this important change. Street lights are predominately LED and traffic lights are mostly solar powered. Can't wait to see how much is saved over a decade.