Green Options » BICEP

Is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce the “Voice of Business” on Environmental Issues?

Cindy Tickle — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:56:34 +0000

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce promotes itself as the “voice of business” by representing business ideas and interests in Washington. Really? If this is true, then why are so many businesses leaving the Chamber? So far, high profile utility companies such as Exelon, Pacific Gas & Electric and PNM Resources have left the business association. Apple recently sent a letter to the Chamber’s CEO, Tom Donahue, resigning their membership effective immediately. It appears the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is doing an inadequate job of representing current business interests. So what is all the defections and hoopla about? Climate Change…

Why Businesses (Big and Small) Should Support Climate Action

SolveClimate — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:30:33 +0000

By Mindy S. Lubber, president of Ceres, a leading U.S. coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest organizations working with companies to address sustainability challenges such as global climate change. Originally published at SolveClimate.

Tom Benson, owner of the World’s Largest Laundromat in Berwyn, Ill., is tired of listening to conservative industry groups’ bluster that climate change legislation is bad for business.

That’s because clean energy saved his.

When Benson bought his business a decade ago, all that hot water helping scrub everything from Speedos to sheets ate up a staggering 25 percent of total monthly revenues. With 153 washers using thousands of gallons of hot water daily, you can only imagine the energy costs. And that’s before factoring in the 148 dryers.

So to cut his natural gas costs, Benson installed a solar hot water system on his roof. Three dozen 10-by-4-foot solar panels now produce more than 2,400 gallons of hot water daily, saving him some $25,000 a year.

“Our energy bills could have sunk this business,” says Benson. “Now, they’re a source of pride.”

Mean Joe Green #38: Try-ceps are Stronger than BICEPs

Joe Mohr — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:54:03 +0000

The green jobs sector will grow.

With Obama’s election there will be (already has been) a much stronger focus on the environment–a focus on renewable energies, pollution reduction, green jobs, energy efficiency, fuel efficiency, and more. So, excuse me for not getting excited when Nike and Starbuck’s–two companies infamous for what they could’ve done rather than what they’ve actually done–join with Sun Microsystems, Levi Strauss, and Timberland to form a coalition with a focus on getting Congress to take action on climate change.

Sure, it’s a step in the right direction. Sure, it’s something I should be praising. But how can one not be skeptical when these companies, which have long had the opportunity to promote change (and change themselves), are only doing so when they obviously realize things are moving in this direction anyway.

It’s called “jumping on the bandwagon”.

The coalition calls itself BICEP (Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy). Let’s hope that unlike the over-inflated biceps found on an egomaniacal gym rat, these BICEPs aren’t just for show.

Nike, Starbucks Demand Congress To Act On Climate Change
Sun, Nike, Starbucks and More Meet for Climate Action
BICEP

Nike, Starbucks Demand Congress To Act On Climate Change

Jerry James Stone — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:04:31 +0000

Nike, Starbucks, Levi Strauss, Sun Microsystems, And Timberland Demand That Congress Act Now On Climate Policy

Five leading companies joined Ceres today to announce a business coalition demanding stronger U.S. climate and energy legislation as early as 2009. The team includes Nike, Starbucks, Levi Strauss, Sun Microsystems, Timberland And Ceres and is going by the moniker BICEP - I am thinking Nike had something to do with that one.