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U.S. Chamber
A Buffalo First! partnership with Clean Air Coalition of WNY
For too long now, much of the media and many political establishments have assumed that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the voice of independent, local businesses and their owners. That is simply not true. Big Polluters control the U.S. Chamber, which poisons politics with its dirty money and opposes every single effort to curb climate pollution.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce claims to speak for three million members – those running small and large businesses alike – but just 16 companies comprised 55% of their 2009 revenue. Meanwhile, local, independent businesses, such as ours, remain involved members of our communities, committed to making our region a better place. We are business owners – but the U.S. Chamber of Commerce does not speak for us.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is controlled by Big Polluters, poisons politics with its dirty money, and opposes every single effort to curb climate pollution.
Climate change needs to be addressed in a manner that respects the “triple bottom line”: profits, people and the planet. Responding to the climate change challenge offers not only a unique business opportunity but also a moment to remake our economy latter two points matter just as much as the first.
Large businesses such as Apple, Nike and PG&E have already bowed out of the Chamber, and many local chapters have distanced themselves as well, because of its undemocratic structure, extreme right-wing rhetoric and anti-climate policies. The Greater New York Chamber of Commerce CEO has stated, “They [the U.S. Chamber] don’t represent me.”
While the U.S. Chamber spends obscene amounts of money to deregulate federal environmental protections and question well-established climate science, we are working to develop a local, living economy and improve the environment and public health. We know how important the Clean Air Act is to our community. In Tonawanda, our neighbors are literally dying from toxins released by large corporations – for example, Huntley, a coal-burning power plant, which is releasing lead compounds and carbon dioxide into our air supply, and the dirty diesel truck that have contributed to the asthma epidemic on Buffalo’s West Side.
The people who support our locally run, independent businesses deserve to live a healthy life and breathe clean air – it is their right. The Environmental Protection Agency plays a pivotal role in protecting the health of our communities and ensuring that, whatever our income level or race, we have equal access to protection from toxins.
We urge you to continue your strong stance in favor of climate change and defending the Clean Air Act.
Our businesses are working to build a sustainable and thriving local living economy in the Buffalo-Niagara region. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce does not speak for us.