Business Groups Tout Environmental Efforts

Traditionally on the defensive during the U.S.'s annual observance of Earth Week, which concludes today, the business community this year has gone on the offense. Both the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Assn. of Manufacturers (NAM) have led major efforts to tout the environmental accomplishments of corporations. The chamber sent "Earth Day action kits" consisting of press releases, advertisements, and other materials to 1,000 companies, 170 state and local chambers, and 120 key trade associations for use in grass-roots campaigns. In addition, the Washington, D.C.-based business federation ran advertisements in influential newspapers and sent materials to more than 3,000 daily newspapers, radio and television stations, and other media outlets. President Thomas J. Donohue made Earth Day addresses in Kansas City and Chicago, met with newspaper editorial boards, and conducted a Washington, D.C., press briefing. NAM, meanwhile, released a survey of 2,000 manufacturers showing that more than eight in 10 of respondents have voluntarily changed their manufacturing processes to reduce waste and emissions. More than half the firms reported that the changes saved money. The association, also headquartered in Washington, D.C., reported that at least 50 of its members were sponsoring Earth Day events in 35 cities.