I was planning to rant about the glut of phone books (we just received our first one of the "season"), but I think I'll wait until next week–another one or two unsolicited and unwanted phone books will probably appear by then anyway…

Today's topic is denial–specifically denial by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that global warming is a serious problem that demands something more than a wait-and-see attitude. (Disclaimer: I am an active member of the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, largely because of the progressive leadership of its current executive director, but I certainly do not support the pro-business-no-matter-the-issue point of view of the U.S. Chamber. In fact, contrary to their pledge, I can honestly state: the U.S. Chamber does not understand my needs, nor do they protect my interests and livelihood.)

I do suppose I receive some benefits from the U.S. Chamber–as a member by default–but I couldn't tell you what they are. The best thing I can say about the organization is that they promptly honored my request to be removed from their newsletter mailing list. Thus, I wouldn't have been inspired to rant today, if a friend hadn't emailed me a copy of the CEO's Earth Day greeting titled Addressing Global Climate Change.

Seems more like ignoring global climate change to me. Here's the opening statement:

As we mark the 37^th annual Earth Day this Sunday, there's no greater environmental debate today than global climate change. As concern over this issue grows, the urge to act now and think later is great. We need to resist that urge and approach this complex challenge deliberately.

Would that be deliberately as in thoughtfully, or just slowly? Given the examples of progress cited, it sure seems like slowly is the operative definition for Thomas J. Donohue:

Since 1980 the amount of energy required to expand the U.S. economy has decreased by more than 50%. According to one U.S. government official, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions per unit of gross domestic product declined 7.5% over a five-year period ending in 2004.

Satisfaction with relative reductions like those cited above is not what we need; denial of the fact that we've got  to aggressively reduce real greenhouse gas numbers (like 80% by 2050) isn't going to get us anywhere.

The unfortunate thing is that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce claims to represent my point of view and the point of view of some 3 million businesses of all sizes; methinks they represent the point of view of big business–at the expense of countless concerned, progressive and environmentally responsible smaller businesses.

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