Pro-Climate Companies Must Escape the Chamber!
By Erin McClain, September 15, 2023
It’s time for tech companies to Escape the Chamber! In this new campaign from ClimateVoice, the organization is urging tech companies to LEAVE the Chamber of Commerce and LEAD on climate policy.
In the last year alone, the United States Chamber of Commerce has consistently lobbied against meaningful climate legislation. The Chamber of Commerce, a trade association and lobby for businesses, counts companies like Exxon, Chevron, and Shell among its members–big oil and gas companies that have a vested interest in voting against pro-climate legislation. At the other end of the spectrum, companies like Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are also members–tech companies with progressive plans for sustainability.
It’s time for tech companies to Escape the Chamber! In this new campaign from ClimateVoice, the organization is urging tech companies to LEAVE the Chamber of Commerce and LEAD on climate policy. This is especially important right now, since we’re seeing great movement and progress on climate change legislation. From the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to the proposed EPA rules on methane and soot, since 2022, Americans have seen more climate policy and bills come to the forefront.
I spoke with Jennifer Allyn, Campaigns and Programs Director of ClimateVoice, and a recent graduate of Columbia University’s Master’s in Climate and Society program. Allyn outlined the Escape the Chamber campaign and how employees are empowered to push for climate action and leadership from within their company.
“We wanted this campaign to be empowering, to counter all of the doom and gloom out there. The retro gaming look allows you to level up, from simply signing a petition to more advanced actions in the escape plan,” said Allyn.
Not only does ClimateVoice hope to encourage pro-climate companies to leave the Chamber of Commerce, but it also wants to remind employees how important their voice is through Escape the Chamber. A major component of the campaign is focused on helping people use their influence within their companies and speak up about their concerns. There are email drafts that can be customized and sent internally, guidance for established internal Green Teams, and resources to help spread the word.
While this campaign is specifically targeting tech giants with sustainability plans that run counter to the current stance of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, everyone can get involved. “Anyone at any company can reach out to ClimateVoice through our website, and we’ll answer questions and help them with specific actions,” Allyn explained.
To keep in touch, you can follow ClimateVoice on LinkedIn, and sign up for its newsletter or contact its staff through its website.
Allyn hopes everyone can connect with Escape the Chamber, a tool that she envisions as a conversation starter and a beginning to change. “It’s easy to get involved with Escape the Chamber, and we wanted people to be informed by watching Bill McKibben’s video and learning about how the Chamber has blocked recent pro-climate legislation. Let’s keep putting executives on the spot for an answer on why they’re still part of the Chamber.”
Interested? Start at level one, and sign the Escape the Chamber petition. It’s a way to speak up and urge corporate members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to stop obstructing climate policy by leaving the U.S. Chamber and leading on climate advocacy. Remember that your voice as an employee concerned about climate change and sustainability is a powerful one, especially when you’re able to band together and help your company Escape the Chamber!
Erin F. McClain is a National Climate Fellow with Change the Chamber*Lobby for Climate and an undergraduate Climate Science and Creative Writing student at the University of Pennsylvania.