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?