Tell Toyota COO to Put the Brakes on Climate Change & the US Chamber

photo: MoveOn Flickr

You’ve probably heard about the Toyota vehicle recall, related to sticking accelerators. But did you know that despite selling the Prius as the eco-conscious vehicle of choice, Toyota is still a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the most backwards trade group on climate?

Well, we have an opportunity to ask why.

On Monday, Digg is sponsoring a live dialog with Toyota’s US President and Chief Operating Officer, Jim Lentz. Just like CitizenTube, our question will be asked if enough people vote for it – so digg it now!

Last August, Bill Kovacs, the Chamber’s VP of Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs, called for a “Scopes Monkey Trial” on climate change, leading companies like Apple and Exelon to quit the Chamber while Nike left its position on the board of directors. Many others have publicly stated that the Chamber does not represent them on climate change.

But did the U.S. Chamber of Commerce care? Hardly. In the final three months of 2009, it spent $79.2 million fighting climate change and other priorities of the president, for a grand total of $144.5 million for the year. Whoa.

Toyota had this to say in its most recent North America Environmental Report: “With a new administration in the United States, the landscape surrounding climate change legislation has changed. Toyota supports the U.S. government’s initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel efficiency through a single national approach.”

Additionally, Toyota is one of 46 companies in BELC, the Business Environmental Leadership Council, “focused on addressing the challenges of climate change and supporting mandatory climate policy.”

So what gives?

Despite pressure from groups like Moveon.org and others, Toyota has refused to leave and you can bet the Chamber is not about to change its ways.

Let’s remind Toyota that in addition to safe cars, we need a safe planet. Digg this question (you can login with your Facebook account) and spread the word. We’ve got until Monday 11am EST to make this happen!

Please RT this: Tell Toyota COO to put the brakes on climate change & US CoC – Digg up this Q! http://ow.ly/14BdQ #climate #green #toyota #prius

About

Carolyn awoke to the widespread disinformation in politics following an internship at Factcheck.org during the 2007 primary season. Upon graduating, she entered Green Corps and learned to organize while working on campaigns on climate change and water. Most recently, she was a fellow in the Avaaz Action Factory in DC.

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