Greenpeace has at last responded to Apple’s protest move to spurn the seemingly fossil fuel lobby backed US Chamber of Commerce, praising the computer company for “doing the right thing”.
In a note published to the Greenpeace USA website, the campaigning group terms the walk-out as highlighting the environment-driven “split in Corporate America.”
The campaigners now see different targets, saying, “At issue is the US Chamber of Commerce’s use of funds to oppose climate change legislation. Apple has done the right thing, and IBM and Microsoft should think different too.”
They continue: “Many companies with high-profile climate positions must be shifting a little uneasily in the boardroom right now. Staying silent on this issue is definitely not showing the leadership Apple and others have shown by speaking out.”
Calling on all technology companies to bite the bullet and work to save the planet so many of the technologies they develop are currently number-crunching in research labs worldwide and finding to be at threat, they note that both Microsoft and IBM sit on the Chamber of Commerce board.
“Now is the time for IBM and Microsoft to speak out against the position of the Chamber — or do what Apple did, and leave,” Greenpeace states.
They note that making a public statement – or even public actions in terms of product design is one thing, but that by financially supporting the biggest government lobby group in the US, Microsoft and IBM aren’t ‘being the change’.
The Chamber spent $488 million between 1998 to 2007 on lobbying. “That kind of money buys a lot of influence in Washington’s corridors of power. The Chamber hasn’t been shy about its position either. In August it stated it wanted to put the science of climate change on trial.”
The memorandum continues: “Yesterday the Chamber questioned Steve Jobs’ personal judgement in deciding to leave. Rather than lecturing Steve on innovation, the Chamber should be focussing the innovation needed to reduce emissions and the jobs this will create.
“In the growing public spat between Apple and the Chamber we are definitely cheering for Steve. But he could do with some more heavyweight support.
“Which other IT executives are going to match Apple’s bold move? The stakes have never been higher for the climate. Apple’s move will throw an uncomfortable spotlight on any company that stays on in the Chamber but doesn’t act to change its policies.”
So, it looks like Apple’s moves to go greener have pretty much won support from Greenpeace, which originally targeted the company in an attempt to convince it to make such change. Apple responded.
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