The Center for Biological Diversity recently gave its 2011 Rubber Dodo award to the US Chamber of Commerce. Each year, the Rubber Dodo is bestowed upon the individual, corporation or other entity that has done the most to further threaten the lives of endangered species around the world.
The US Chamber of Commerce, which deceptively describes itself as “the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region,” is actually a lobbying group representing the interests of rich oil companies, rich pharmaceutical companies, automakers, and other (rich) polluting industries. It spends tens of millions of dollars each year—by far the most of any organization—lobbying in Washington for the interests of the rich. In the 2010 elections, more than 90% of the $32 million it spent went to candidates who deny the existence of climate change and oppose critical, foundational environmental legislation such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. And all in the name of more profits for the already loaded 1%.
“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce gets the 2011 Rubber Dodo award for shamelessly shilling for corporations that pollute our air, dirty our water, ruin our climate and wipe out endangered species habitat,” said Kierán Suckling, executive director of the Center.
“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is one of the most environmentally destructive forces in America. It puts profits above all else, including human health, human rights, the environment and wildlife,” Suckling said. –Center for Biological Diversity
The vast majority of Americans have no idea who this seemingly all-American lobby actually is, or what damage they are doing to our country and our future. If we don’t all want to be sent the way of the dodo, it’s time we paid attention.
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