I’m a member of two Chambers of Commerce in my area.  One through my regular job, and one through my freelance job.  Chambers of Commerce have a reputation for being on the conservative side of the spectrum, and it’s true, we say the pledge of allegiance before big meetings and our breakfasts are invoked with a prayer.  But locally, the Chambers are nothing compared to the US Chamber of Commerce, which maintains a “business first, always” policy.  And that policy always puts them standing resolutely, and blindly, in the way of climate change reform.

But there’s some opposition in the ranks, and the members of the US Chamber of Commerce are no longer sitting idly by while their organization spent almost $35 million lobbying against energy reform.  As the article notes, this is not popular among all members of the chamber, and has led to some members leaving in protest, since the Chamber’s policies do not align with their corporate policies of sustainability.  These awesome companies include: Apple Inc., Exelon Corp., Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Public Service Company of New Mexico and Mohawk Fine Paper.  Way to be trendsetters, guys!  Additionally, Nike left the board of directors, but remained a member to try and instigate change from the inside.

And in case that doesn’t wake up the US Chamber of Commerce, maybe the most recent prank by the Yes Men will get them thinking differently.  I’m not exactly sure what these climate change activists were trying to prove by pretending to be representatives from the Chamber and holding a fake press conference, but it is always fun to see a company get punked when I so vehemently disagree with their policies.

What Can I Do?

Well, I checked, and the US Chamber of Commerce doesn’t list their members, so you can’t contact them all and ask them to support climate change reform and quit the chamber like their peers.  However, you can visit the Chamber’s site here, and contact them if you wish.  Be careful, the site brings up an evil, right wing, pop-up before you can enter.  Okay, maybe it’s just a regular pop-up, but aren’t they all evil?  You could also contact the companies that have left and send them a “you go girl!” letter.  Or just buy their stuff next time you need a computer, sneakers, or Public Service in New Mexico.