And the chorus of support for this concern is growing every day. Many of the worlds business leaders are lining up demanding action. It makes sense if you think about it. In the business world those who thrive are the ones who do the best job of deciphering trends and predicting the future operating environment. Some are driven by concerns over the environment while others see that the future "industrial revolution" will be an "energy revolution." The country that makes that shift first will lead the world.
Below are several articles. Make sure to follow the links in RED to really see who is speaking out. You might be surprised....
Here is an article that highlights how more and more business leaders want the US government to pass climate legilsation.
Business Groups Say Climate Impasse Undermines Clean Energy
By IAN TALLEY
WASHINGTON—The Capitol Hill politics bogging down a climate bill in the Senate are also hobbling investments in low-carbon energy and prompting calls from some business groups for action.
President Barack Obama is scheduled to travel Tuesday to a Siemens Corp. wind turbine facility in Fort Madison, Iowa, Tuesday as part of the White House effort to tout the economic, environmental and national security benefits of clean energy investments. The company expanded the plant, adding more than 600 jobs with capital from the stimulus package and tax credits.
Siemens, a unit of the German parent company Siemens AG, is representative of thousands of companies looking to capitalize on a carbon-constrained economy. It is building a range of products that would be attractive if there was a cost for emitting carbon. Besides efficient motors and generators, they are also developing technology to capture emissions from coal plants, have a retro-fitting business that installs energy-efficient equipment in buildings, and plan to expand their solar power unit in the U.S.
Nearly every sector of the energy industry is in some way affected by Congressional deliberations on climate and energy policy, whether it is makers of wind turbines and solar plants, utilities planning nuclear power projects or companies that make natural-gas generators and clean-coal technology. While some want to see a carbon market that will create demand for their products, others say they want to get clarity on how the new emission rules will affect their plans.
"The U.S. faces a critical moment that will determine whether we will be able to unleash billions in energy investments or remain mired in the economic status quo," the U.S. Climate Action Partnership said after the meltdown in negotiations over the weekend. USCAP represents nearly two dozen Fortune-500 companies that have urged Congress to pass a climate bill, including General Electric Co., Duke Energy, and NRG Energy.
The American Business for Clean Energy, a group representing 3,000 businesses that support passage of a climate bill, urged lawmakers to keep pushing it as a legislative priority. "American businesses, large and small, are urging Congress to act in order to make the United States a world leader in clean energy technology, reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources, and create millions of new jobs," the group said.
Portfolio managers, investment firms and businesses have been betting that Congress would act this year on legislation that would put caps on greenhouse gas emissions, and offer incentives to companies investing in technology to produce or use energy without heavy carbon dioxide emissions.
But the latest effort to craft legislation that could pass the Senate appears to have foundered after the lone Republican working on the bill, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) said he will pull out of the talks because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could move a controversial immigration bill to the floor before the climate bill. Mr. Reid has suggested Mr. Graham's real problem is pressure from other Republicans to stop working on the climate measure. Sens. John Kerry (D., Mass.) and Joseph Lieberman (I., Conn.) say they will continue to work for a bill.
The impasse leaves utilities that have worked with the Senate trio to craft climate legislation, such as Exelon Corp., American Electric Power Co. and FPL Group, flummoxed.
"We are disappointed by this temporary setback. We remain hopeful that the issues will be resolved quickly, and that the U.S. Senate will make passage of an energy and climate bill an urgent priority," said Exelon spokeswoman Judy Rader.
A senior lobbyist that works for a large utility said the political intervention is frustrating because, "We thought progress had been made and we were moving in the right direction."
With businesses fearing their work on the bill will have been in vain, he said there is "an effort to try to get many people to weigh in with Graham, and say, 'please go back to the table.'"
The setback—which some say may be fatal for the bill this year—happens as the White House has been ramping up the rhetoric about how vital passing the climate bill is to invigorate the U.S. economy and compete with China. Obama administration officials have been hitting the public-speaking circuit to fan support for putting a price on carbon to stimulate clean energy investment.
Write to Ian Talley at ian.talley@dowjones.com
And this:
175 Companies Urge Senate to Move Forward with Climate Legislation
On April 28, 175 U.S. companies sent a letter to Senate leadership, urging them to continue working to enact comprehensive climate and energy legislation this year. The letter was brought together by the We Can Lead coalition, a project of the Clean Economy Network (CEN) and Ceres. The businesses come from some of the nation's largest electric power, manufacturing, and clean tech companies, including Nike, Exelon, PG&E and eBay. "Today, the United States is falling behind in the global race to lead the next global industrial revolution. U.S. businesses need strong policies and clear market signals to deploy capital, harness innovative technologies, and compete in the global marketplace," the letter stated. "Every day the Senate fails to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation is a day our economy falls another step behind and delays our ability to create millions of new American jobs. America's energy future is not a partisan issue. Now is the time to bring the parties together and finish what we started."
For additional information see: We Can Lead Letter
And another addition to the choir are leaders from our armed forces. Many of the top brass in the US military now understand the profound threat climate change represents to the future of our country. This community is not typically considered card carrying members of any tree hugging group.
Check this out:
33 Retired Military Leaders Call for Climate Legislation
On April 28, 33 retired military leaders issued a statement, calling on “Congress and the administration to enact strong, comprehensive climate and energy legislation to reduce carbon pollution and lead the world in clean energy technology.” The statement goes on to note that the “Pentagon and security leaders of both parties consider climate disruption to be a ‘threat multiplier’ – it exacerbates existing problems by decreasing stability, increasing conflict, and incubating the socioeconomic conditions that foster terrorist recruitment.” The statement, released in conjunction by The Truman National Security Project and Operation Free (OPFREE), is another attempt by the military community to inform the public about the national security issues connected to climate change. OPFREE says America’s dependence on oil puts money into the hands of dangerous enemies. In January, the United States imported 506,000 barrels of oil each day from Iraq, 911,000 from Venezuela and 463,000 from Russia, according to the Energy Information Administration. “At the same time, the climate change caused by carbon pollution is destabilizing nations like Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Nigeria and Afghanistan — creating safe havens for terrorists,” Operation Free campaign manager Jonathan Murray said.
For additional information see: Truman Project Press ReleaseWhy aren't our leaders, leading?
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