Nike resigns from the US Chamber of Commerce over climate change denial

[ProSense]

Nike Resigns from Chamber Board

Pete Altman

This just in:

Nike announces it is resigning from the US Chamber Board of Directors.

I guess the Chamber's desperate attempt to persuade the public and its members of an alternative reality in which the Chamber champions climate legislation didn't work. Nike's announcement, coming on the heels of the US Chamber's newest push to justify its climate position, shows that the Chamber will have to do a lot more than repackage their oppositionist stance if they want to stop the bleeding. The fact is that there are scores of major US companies that want clean energy and climate policy, and the Chamber either has to represent those views or lose its voice completely on this isse.

Nike is a member of Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP), a business coalition that supports federal clean energy and climate policy.

Anyway, here is Nike's statement:

<...>

Nike's move follows a series of high-profile departures and criticisms of the US Chamber by Exelon, PNM Resources, PG&E and Johnson&Johnson.

[Cha]

1. This IS Great News! They need to start their

own Organization that recognizes the REALITY of the 21st Century.

So much for the regressive Fail policies of the US Chamber of Commerce and the goperverts.

[handmade34]

2. good move

[safeinOhio]

3. This is to turn around

the company after coming out with M Vick puppy skin runners.

[CurtEastPoint]

4. And then promptly rehires Michael Vick. n/t

[karynnj]

5. An interesting thought is whether there was any suggestion by activists

or even those working on the bill to create this avalanche of announcements. These are high profile, well regarded companies leaving. What is impressive is that it includes three energy companies.

Several of Senator Kerry's SFRC hearings have included business leaders and ex-military people. The question is whether the support of these type of people will convince at least some Republicans. It is an interesting way to build support. They do have an impressive number of people and organizations supporting them.

[Cha]

6. I wondered the same.. who is behind

this massive turnaround?

It's the right thing to do by anyone who recognizes the facts on Global Climate Change..it's almost too good to be true!

[intheflow]

7. Actually, Nike has a pretty good record on global warming activism.

Or at least, their scorecard is improving, per Climate Counts:

Review: 18/22 points. Climate Counts has found that Nike annually measures its companywide impact on global warming.

Reduce: 45/56 points. Climate Counts has found that Nike has established clear goals to reduce the company's greenhouse gas emissions and has reduced its impact on global warming (i.e., its greenhouse gas emissions or climate footprint). The company has also worked to foster the climate awareness and action of employees and others.

Policy Stance: 8/10 points. Climate Counts has found public information that shows that Nike supports public policy that addresses climate change.

Report: 11/12 points. Climate Counts has found that Nike has made public information available on its companywide efforts to address global warming.

http://www.climatecounts.org/scorecard_score.php?co=43

Of course, they could really improve their emissions by making sneakers in the US for US customers, so they wouldn't have to move hundreds of thousands of pounds of sneakers halfway across the planet. But they really do seem to be trying. Today is another step in the right direction.

Edited to add: I, myself, only learned of Nike's commitment to the environment today, through quite another channel. I'm reading Peter Senge's book "The Necessary Revolution: How individuals and organizations are working together to create a sustainable world." Nike is one of the companies seriously looking at global sustainability issues. Who knew? :shrug:

[Cha]

8. Thanks for the news about Nike..

my daughter just sent me some summer running shoes from Nike land in Portland, Ore.

[boppers]

9. Nike is in PDX.

a.k.a. "The People's Republic of Portland".

We roll a little different up here.... literally, at times (massive naked bicycle rides, go-cart races, etc.)

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

10. More accurately, they're resigning from the board, but not leaving the Chamber.

Mind you though, that Board seat costs them seven figures every year, so it's still a hefty hit.