U.S. Chamber Refutes Extreme Environmentalists

NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue today said that statements from extreme environmentalists have misled the public about the link between economic growth and a clean environment, in a national Earth Day address to members of the Gulf Coast Regional Chamber Coalition.

"The truth is economic growth and environmental progress go hand-in-hand. A strong economy pays the bill for a clean environment," said Thomas Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "Responsible environmentalists should move forward with the business community, rather than fight us to further their own political agenda."

Around the world, wherever there is free enterprise, free trade, and limited government involvement in the economy, there are rising standards of living, cleaner environments, better working conditions, and more personal freedom, Donohue pointed out. To build on that record, he said business will pursue new, cleaner technologies, while spending an additional 1.5 trillion dollars in environmental improvements.

"Business will put its money where its mouth is and use technology to usher in an age of unprecedented economic growth and environmental progress," said Donohue. "Technological advances have outstripped government regulation as the primary means of environmental improvement."

Walter Leger Jr., chairman of The New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce, urged a reasoned dialogue with the environmental community. "Responsible business and environmental leaders can work together to ensure a healthy environment and economic growth," Leger said. "Extremists do nothing to advance this progress."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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