Alternative Energy Debate

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One of the driving forces behind the push for alternative energy is the fact that burning fossil fuels is one of the central causes of climate change. Oil and coal are, in essence, pockets of carbon (long dead plant and animal matter) that have been compressed over time. When we burn them for fuel, we shoot this carbon back into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide gas. This builds in the atmosphere and creates a sort of blanket that doesn’t let heat escape from the planet; in extreme cases, it reaches a density that is toxic to life (as in Los Angeles and Mexico City.) This excess heat increases the temperature of the Earth, which can have catastrophic effects on sea level and weather patterns, leaving green pastures arid and coastlines submerged.

The basic science of this is internationally accepted, but there is still denial in some circles. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, for instance, remains unconvinced about climate change: While global industry continues to spew greenhouse gases into the air, the USCC prefers to take no action. It recently called for a “Trial of Climate Change,” referring to the Scopes Monkey trial of the early 20th century in which the validity of evolution was brought before the courts. I have to wonder what purpose such a trial would serve when 97% of climatologists who study climate change believe the change is human-caused. Among the global scientific community the trial has already occurred. The verdict is in, and we are guilty.

This request for a trial was a ploy to delay debate in Congress over a bill to combat climate change. Among other things, the bill seeks to institute a cap on the amount of carbon emissions businesses can generate, which the Chamber – an organization that claims to represent over 3 million American businesses – apparently takes issue with. Is this an instance of big business siding against the environment when faced with the prospect of change? Not quite.

Reacting to this position, Pacific Gas and Electric, one of California’s largest energy companies, its USCC membership last month, stating

We find it dismaying that the Chamber neglects the indisputable fact that a decisive majority of experts have said the data on global warming are compelling and point to a threat that cannot be ignored.

This began an avalanche of corporate responsibility as Apple computers followed suit and shoe giant Nike down from its position on the board of directors. Perhaps the biggest coup occurred when Exelon, the nation’s largest natural gas and electric utility, chose not to renew its membership.

Some of the largest companies in the United States – and utility companies to boot – have risen to oppose the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s obstruction of meaningful climate legislation. Why has the organization continually taken strides to derail the discussion about greener alternatives, sometimes without the knowledge of companies on the board? Could it be because Chamber president Bill Donahue is a board member of the Union Pacific Railroad, which makes roughly 20% of its income from hauling coal? Or that Donahue is contractually obligated by this position not to engage in “any conduct or activities that are inconsistent with the company's best interests"?

The Chamber of Commerce claims to be “the voice of business” in America but its stances on the environment are putting it out of step with all but its most polluting members. We are in an age when even Wal Mart requires its suppliers to track the carbon footprint of their goods. WalMart is testing out greener trucks for its largest-in-the-world shipping fleet. In such a climate, any non-environmentalist stance that the Chamber takes is backwards-looking at best. Perhaps a better nickname for the group would be “the voice of climate deniers” or “the voice of the petrochemical lobby.” With more and more large corporations waking up to the fact that green for the planet translates to black on the accounting ledgers, this kind of foot-dragging has me seeing red.