The five warmest years since 1880 have all occurred since 2015, and nine of the 10 warmest years have occurred since 2005, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These rising temperatures mean more intense weather events, more droughts, and more serious health impacts for wildlife and humans across the globe.
To help tackle climate change, the Business Roundtable — an association of CEOs across America — recently released a new set of principles and policies. In particular, it called on the private and public sector to partner to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050, consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. And, for the first time, the group argued for pricing carbon to help incentivize innovations needed to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
The letter and new policy recommendations were signed by more than 200 CEOs, including the CEOs of Amazon, American Airlines and Chevron. “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the planet today, and we believe businesses are an essential part of the solution,” said Doug McMillon, President & CEO of Walmart and Chairman of Business Roundtable. “Representing more than 200 CEOs from America’s leading companies, the new Business Roundtable position on climate change reflects our belief that a national market-based emissions reduction policy is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to levels designed to avoid the worst effects and mitigate the impacts of climate change.”
Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners and longtime proponent of corporate responsibility, echoed McMillion’s commitment to tackling climate change, arguing that now is the time to address climate change.
“We face an enormous number of challenges right now, and one we cannot afford to overlook is climate change,” Smith said. “Business Roundtable is introducing a comprehensive strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This can’t wait. Let’s do this.”
Read more about the Business Roundtable’s call to action on climate change at Business Insider.
