This week, the Trump Administration announced plans to eliminate the Clean Power Plan (CPP), an Obama-era policy to reduce carbon emissions. Under the new plan, states may write their own regulations for coal-fired power plants–or write none at all. This is a drastic shift away from the CPP, which pushed the energy industry toward clean energy sources like wind and solar.

Hundreds of business leaders have told us that they experienced losses due to severe weather affecting their supply chains and customer traffic. Some called for American leadership in the global effort to develop a strategy to curb climate change.

Others argued that the United States must set strong clean energy standards and invest in clean energy technologies to reduce carbon pollution. While they support a wide range of solutions to curb climate change, most agree that inaction is not an option.

We asked business leaders to tell us what it would mean for their businesses if the CPP is repealed.

Below, read what 90 business leaders are saying about the Clean Power Plan and climate change:

Business leaders on the Clean Power Plan:

“Small businesses bear the brunt of disaster and health costs due to bad air. Please keep the Clean Power Plan intact.”
Heidi Pickman, Communications and Policy Director, California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO), San Francisco, CA

“The Clean Power Plan is good for business and good for the climate. We are behind the rest of the world with regards to alternative energy innovation and should accelerate our research in order to remain competitive. The very last thing we should do is end the Clean Power Plan. Think about how many new jobs we could create if we focused on renewable technologies versus coal. It’s past time to change course and move in a new direction.”
Jen LaBar, Owner, Wonder Dog Training, Escondido, CA

“By repealing the Clean Power Plan, you are denying millions of new job opportunities in the clean energy technologies that America needs to compete with China and the other global economic powers. Help America compete. We’re the best country in the world and we need the jobs in this energy-competitive world to gain the advantage.”
Myrna Alpern, Owner/CEO, Amanda Crawford Designs, Westlake Village, CA

“We need to encourage and enhance our innovation chain of technologies in areas that will drive future growth. That innovation ‘chain’ includes renewable energy sources. These technologies will also be essential to keep the U.S. competitive in the global economy.”
Debra Vogler, President, Instant Insight Inc., Palm Desert, CA

“The Clean Power Plan was prepared over several years, with active participation of multiple stakeholders from industry, the public, and governments. It is the fairest way to regulate dangerous emissions. Where it does not work, improve it; don’t discard it.”
David Kunhardt, CEO, SolEd Benefit Corp, Corte Madera, CA

“As a strategic energy management consultant, I can tell you that one thing businesses in all energy sectors need is a measure of stability and predictability in policies that impact markets. Many businesses—including utilities, states and other energy stakeholders—have been moving ahead under the assumption that the Clean Power Plan would remain in place, because there were no other clear signposts to guide decision making. Energy markets also supported this decision. To pull the Clean Power Plan rug out from under our energy economy at this point simply doesn’t make sense. People who understand energy markets understand that these markets will never go back to the way they were structured 20 or 30 years ago. The technological, social and economic drivers are simply not the same. Coal will remain a significant player, but it will never have the same position it held decades ago: the way markets currently pit coal against natural gas alone have changed the dynamics for the foreseeable future. We need energy and environmental policy that reflects our economic, technological and environmental realities, not just the pipe dreams of government administrators and politicians. Pulling the Clean Power Plan will have negative impacts on my current and future clients. It will hurt their businesses and mine, not to mention put the U.S. behind internationally. Let’s not put one more nail in the coffin of U.S. leadership or business. Keep the Clean Power Plan in place, and let’s get to work on implementing it. ”
Leslie Baer, Strategic Energy Management Consultant, Energy Intersections, LLC, Denver, CO

“Repealing the Clean Power Plan is a mistake for U.S. businesses and innovation. I personally work in an industry that has benefited immensely from the new jobs, innovation, opportunity, and influence that has come from the clean tech sector. Continuing to encourage American businesses to find ways to meet the needs of a clean energy future is not only an environmental issue. It’s an economic issue. I strongly support the Clean Power Plan and believe its continuation will lead to economic and environmental enhancements and innovations throughout our country.”
Cami Boehme, Chief Operating Officer, Viridian International Management, Norwalk, CT

“The Clean Power Plan creates profitable opportunities for small businesses like mine.”
Benjamin Bacon, Owner, Plane Space Design, Savannah, GA

“America needs to promote 21st-century clean energy if we want to be great! Pushing coal for jobs is like selling buggy whips—outdated!”Lisa Hecht, CEO, Lisa Hecht and Associates, LLC, Boise, ID

“As a business leader, I encourage the Administration to maintain the Clean Power Plan. It will help ensure the United States plays a leading role in developing the new energy technology that will power the world and will help curb climate change.”
Stan Shlyapochnik, CEO, EcoFaire Enterprises, Inc, Skokie, IL

“I own and run Bacci Chocolate Design with my husband and daughters. We rely on commodities such as chocolate, sugar and peanuts. Price fluctuation caused by higher temperatures and, severe weather affects our bottom line. These are real costs affecting my family business. Please stop playing politics with climate change.”
Erin Calvo-Bacci, CMO/CIO, Bacci Chocolate Design, Reading, MA

“Businesses, cities, and states across America are inspired and moving ahead with carbon reduction initiatives inspired by the Clean Power Plan. Keeping the Clean Power Plan in place not only demonstrates America’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions, but also our leadership and innovation advancing technologies that provide high quality employment and economic vitality. This vision sets an important goal for our country and, most importantly, for the world to aspire to.”
Keith Winn, President, Catalyst Partners, Grand Rapids, MI

“Green energies are growing faster than any other business sector. Let’s not lose our position in the world as a leader on energy. Support the Clean Power Plan, please.”
Tamsin Hollo, Owner, Liberty Street Vintage, Newburgh, NY

“We are in the travel business. Disruptions caused by climate change reduces our profitability. Our clients have been affected by recent hurricanes and flooding which is only expected to worsen without immediate action. Please keep the Clean Power Plan in place as a first step toward reducing the harm caused by climate change.”
Brian Taussig-Lux, President, Untours, Media, PA

“Our investments in clean energy have many benefits including expanding competition in the future energy mix. Let the U.S. be a leader in developing the new technologies. The Clean Power Plan pushes us in the right direction. It is short sighted to repeal the Clean Power Plan and doing so will harm and hold back businesses in the future.”
Karl Smith, Owner, Accelerations Educational Software, Columbia, SC

“I have lived along the Wasatch Front most of my life and watched the air quality continually get worse—sometimes we have the worst air quality in the nation. I urge you leave the Clean Power Plan intact. In addition, I urge you to strengthen regulations regarding power production. The abundance of sunny days makes Utah the perfect location to embrace, promote, and utilize current and emerging solar technologies. Please rethink dismantling the Clean Power Plan. Instead, help grow the solar industry into a safer workplace for many, many more employees than the fossil fuel industry could ever produce.”
Steve Money, Owner, On the Money Designs, Eden, UT

“We produce a product that saves energy, a commercial grade insulating concrete form. Besides standing up to floods and 250mph wind, it saves 50 percent or more on energy usage. This is just one aspect of the greater picture. We must get away from dirty fuel and take no chances. Who would ever want to gamble with their health or that of the health of the planet?
Bryant Wheeler, Executive VP, PolycreteUSA, Charles City, VA

“The Clean Power Plan is actually good for the economy and for innovative business development. It will create more US jobs!
Robert Faron, Owner, RSFaron & Associates, LLC, McLean, VA

“American competitiveness in the 21st Century is at risk as we continue to under-invest in vital infrastructure: roads and bridges, power grid and generation, ports, and internet capacity. Initiatives like the Clean Power Plan and others create jobs, drive efficiencies for our economy, and ensure American leadership for decades to come.”
Frank Wells, World Power & Water, Saint Petersburg, FL

Business Leaders on Clean Energy Standards and Investment:

“My company has helped customers all over the world deploy solar energy systems for their homes and businesses. The nation that leads in developing clean energy will lead the next economic boom, and I want that country to be the United States. We must continue to prioritize investment and research more strategies for modernizing the energy grid.”
Deep Patel, Founder and CEO, GigaWatt, Inc., Placentia, CA

“We have seen a tremendous increase in market confidence for renewable energy technologies like Accio Energy’s EHD wind systems, allowing us to invest in our company and increase our customer base”
Dawn White, President & CTO, Accio Energy, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI

“My restaurant uses renewable energy sources, including solar panels, and while it cost more up front, it has paid off in the long run. The growing availability of affordable clean energy made our investment possible. We need to continue investing in new clean energy technology or one day we’ll need to pay more to keep the restaurant cool while the ovens are hot.”
Sally Moses, Owner and Manager, 212 Market Restaurant, Chattanooga, TN

“Recent ambitious, strong clean energy investments helped fuel innovation among clean energy technology companies. We as a country need to evolve our energy infrastructure and demonstrate the economic vitality that results from a sustainable, long-term commitment to clean energy.”
Andrew East, Executive Vice President, Alternate Energy Technologies, Green Cove Springs, FL

“Policymakers should encourage research and investment in cost-effective, clean energy technologies, like battery energy storage, that are good for business and the environment. Wind and solar capacity have both tripled in recent years, but we need storage technology that can keep up with their intermittent production and usage.”
William Gathright, the CEO, Tumalow Energy Storage, Herndon, VA

“Any serious effort to curb climate change will require strong U.S. leadership. Wind energy is becoming cheaper and more efficient and it offers workers excellent job opportunities in manufacturing, installing, and providing service across a broad spectrum of skill sets.”
Ronald Gdovic, CEO, WindStax Wind Power Systems, Pittsburgh, PA

“As a specialty coffee roaster, climate change is adversely affecting the long-term outlook for coffee, placing additional burdens on small business here at home and putting small farmers in potential financial peril in all the major growing regions worldwide.”
Kelly Wicks, Owner, Grounds for Thought, Bowling Green, OH

“While we know that no single weather event can be directly tied to climate change, we also know that snow in Florida, floods in the Carolinas and unprecedented fires in California are all small indicia of a warming climate that impacts nearly every aspect of our business—from farming to cow pastures, from logistics to customer travel patterns.”
John Lowe, CEO, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Columbus, OH

“Our business is designed to impact climate change—Ohio’s regressive renewable energy policies make it nearly impossible to promote investment in the space. We need to strengthen the state’s RPS and focus on Ohio’s transition to a clean energy economy.”
Ron DeLyons, CEO, Creekwood Energy Partners, Cincinnati, OH

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“The rise in sea levels is already affecting the Chesapeake Bay oyster industry. Over the last 35 years, we’ve faced increasingly higher tides. We just raised the pier side of our oyster houses by three feet because the storm surges were getting too close to our drainage outlets on. If storm water contaminates the oyster houses, we lose the house full of shellfish.”
Tommy Kellum, Owner, W. E. Kellum Seafood, Weems, VA

“Home insurance premiums keep going up to pay for the increase in claims we’ve seen as severe weather has gotten more common. I see more people buying flood policies. When I started out in the business people in Virginia refused to talk about this coverage, now they are quick to ask how much? The last thing you want in the time of the claim is to find out you don’t have the coverage you need.”
Virginia Kinneman, Agency Owner, Kinneman Insurance, Alexandria, VA

“The approach we take to global clean energy standards is an individual and corporate obligation and responsibility. These standards insure justice and equity for all humans, because we preserve and protect manufacturing, agriculture and services, which fulfill the needs of our customers. In other words, it will impact our ability to make a living.”
Regina Colston, CEO, ColstonConsultants, Huntsville, AL

“It would be difficult to argue that decarbonization of the global energy supply chain not only provides environmental benefits, but also economic, social and security improvements across both leading industrial economies and emerging developing nations. The United States should be a leader in this movement. It is in nothing but our interest to show the world that we are capable of decarbonizing and that our leadership will spawn greater implementation of existing technologies, investment in new technologies and greater access to clean energy on a global scale. As a participant in the new energy economy, [clean energy goals] would certainly stimulate Conectric’s potential domestically, create new jobs and provide us with a strong platform to demonstrate our technologies globally.”
Phillip Kopp, CEO, Conectric Networks, LLC, San Diego, CA

“Small businesses have been working to develop cleaner energy technologies for years in efforts to rescue our health, security, environment, and values. To support these efforts, we need to establish an ambitious goal, […] and then strive desperately to meet, if not surpass it.”
Kristen Aramthanapon, Chief Technologist, Sylvatex, San Francisco, CA

“Climate change is happening now, but so is the low-carbon energy revolution. With solar photovoltaic costs expected to fall below fossil fuel costs, the technology is now not only climate-positive, but it is also the most cost-effective solution in many cases. This is a powerful combination and the low-carbon transition will receive a much-needed boost from stronger clean energy standards. This in turn is crucial to building resilience against future economic and climatic stresses, both in the US and globally.”
Jalel Sager, Director, New Sun Road, Emeryville, CA

“We have made a good start [toward 50% clean energy by 2030], as one-third of all new electric power in the U.S. last year came from solar. This is creating jobs and opportunities in the innovation economy as utilities and tech companies create solutions together. This initiative will help guide our economy into a safer and more energy secure future.”
Brigette Hunley, President, BHC, Fairfield, CA

“The corporate community must get beyond the language of profit margin and stock value. If we continue to impose our man-made energy and pollution problems on nature, nature will solve the problem by making us extinct. That will be bad for business. Now is the time to embrace stronger clean energy standards.”
Barry Katz, Urban Planning, catsba, Hollywood, CA

“In order to make the transition to a clean energy economy, the private sector and regulators must work together to develop innovative, technologically sophisticated, customer-centric electric utilities. Clean energy standards will catalyze faster evolution toward that future.”
Peter L. Corsell, Managing Partner, Twenty First Century Utilities, Miami Beach, FL

“My company demonstrates that it is possible to cut costs and protect the environment at the same time. We produce the most advanced electrostatic filtering technology for lubricants, which helps our clients cut costs, increase productivity by extending the life of their lubricants, and reduce their carbon footprint. Stronger clean energy standards […] would support more companies like mine that are developing the technologies the nation needs to thrive in the clean economy.”
Theo Chalgren, President, Orbitron Companies, Inc., Chaska, MN

“As EcoTech Visions continues to grow, the clean energy standard would further support our organization’s efforts in turning blue collar jobs to green collar jobs. Elected officials and candidates who understand the importance of [environmental standards] will help to stop the devastation of climate change, create jobs, and ultimately, save our planet and people.”
Pandwe A. Gibson, Ph.D., CEO and Executive Director, EcoTech Visions, Miami, FL

“Having been in the renewable energy industry since 1975, our company has witnessed the sinusoidal wave of legislative policy over the decades and the impact it has had on the industry. Ambitious, stronger clean energy standards would fuel innovation among clean energy technology companies. It is time that we as a country realize the need to evolve our energy infrastructure and demonstrate the economic vitality that will result from a sustainable, long-term commitment to clean energy.”
Andrew East, Executive Vice President of Alternate Energy Technologies, Green Cove Springs, FL

“I am passionate about curbing the effects of climate change as both a business owner and an explorer. My company has developed a proprietary, thermally fueled heat engine that provides the linear power to bring air conditioning compressors and well pumps to life. Stronger clean energy standards would encourage more companies to invest in clean energy technology that will reduce carbon emissions to protect our economy and our environment.”
Patrick Sheppard, President, Vaporgenics, Inc., Redington Shores, FL

“Energy has always been one of the most important resources in the world. The next step we must take to ensure earth’s survival and its progress is to switch over fully to clean energy technologies, and setting strong clean energy standards is the most expedient way to set the stage for the clean energy revolution.”
Esteban Castro, President of Canopus Energy Savings Inc., Cutler Bay, FL

“As a tour operator, our itineraries have been disrupted by severe weather and that has resulted in a loss of revenue and repeat travelers. We may no longer offer holidays to certain destinations if there continues to be significantly unstable weather. The tourism industry is on the front lines of climate change challenges, but soon it could affect many more businesses. […] We must curb climate change now to protect our environment and protect our small businesses.”
Mary Novak-Beatty, Vice President of Marketing at Mayflower Tours, Chicago, IL

“Restaurants consume 228 percent more electricity than any other building per square foot, so there’s significant potential to becoming more energy efficient. At my LEED-certified Denny’s location, we have saved $20,000 in utility costs per year and within three years we broke even on the upfront cost above what it would have cost for a standard build-out. This is the way of the future—becoming more energy efficient and saving money at the same time.”
Joey Terrell, President, RTE 66 Corporation & Denny’s of Joliet, Ill., Mokena, IL

“Clean energy should be part of every business’s cost reduction and risk management strategy. Self-supplying some or all of a company’s electricity requirements with solar energy will help save money and hedge future energy prices. Stronger clean energy standards […] will help get us all to a more stable place economically.”
Will Kenworthy, Vice President, Regional Operations – Midwest at Microgrid Energy, Chicago, IL

“A national energy standard [supporting] clean and carbon-free energy will further support the development of our nation’s clean energy economy, create new business opportunities, and foster innovation within the private sector. Similar policies enacted at the state level have been extremely successful in creating jobs while lowering energy costs. This standard makes sense for our nation’s citizens, economy, and environment.”
William S. Haas, Principal, Inova Energy Group, Chicago, IL

“Businesses today have to be prepared for the impacts of climate change on our operations. Setting strong goals […] would encourage more clean technology companies like mine to develop more innovative products. Every megawatt of commercial- and utility-scale solar that we deploy not only helps mitigate the effects of climate change, it also creates jobs, reduces pollution, and accelerates our country’s transition to a clean energy economy and building a brilliant tomorrow.”
TJ Kanczuzewski, President, Inovateus Solar, South Bend, IN

“Today’s economy is built on an electronic foundation that depends on efficient, safe, flexible direct current power systems. Fortunately, this is already the currency of renewables and stored energy. We have the opportunity—right now—to optimize our electrical infrastructure for this new reality by creating thoughtful dc power standards that will help our economy scale as fast as it needs to.”
Paul Savage, CEO, Nextek Power Systems, Inc., Detroit, MI

“Accio Energy supports the 2030 clean energy standard because it will increase market confidence for renewable energy technologies like Accio Energy’s EHD wind systems, allowing us to create good U.S. manufacturing jobs and export opportunities.”
Dawn White, President & CTO, Accio Energy, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI

“Eutectics mobilizes capital for the public good through our community-based Clean Energy Financing Hubs, which are, in many ways, the ideal public-private partnerships. These Hubs are possible because of strong local leadership combined with a national commitment to addressing climate change through bold renewable energy and energy efficiency standards. By investing in clean energy now, we are catalyzing a virtuous cycle that will pay dividends economically and environmentally for years to come.”
Jeremy Kalin, CEO and President of Eutectics™, Minneapolis, MN

“The United States must remain the world leader in renewable energy product development. Striving to meet a goal of using 50 percent renewable energy by 2030 will help keep US manufacturers on the innovative edge of renewable energy products, which will benefit U.S. workers for years to come.”
Peter Tierney, CEO, World Technology Corp., New York, NY

“Constructing more energy efficient buildings is a smart investment to help cut down on carbon emissions. We also must develop and invest in more energy efficiency technologies. If policymakers set strong clean energy standards, […] it will help drive the transition to a clean economy where more people will save money and be protected from the terrible effects of climate change.”
Asif Syed, Partner, STE Engineers, New York, NY

“There is no doubt in my mind that carbon emissions are damaging to our environment. The question is just how damaging. Unlike showing the impact of smoking, where one can track and compare the health of 100 smokers to 100 nonsmokers, we only have 1 Earth to work with which makes proving the connection more difficult. NASA climate analysis shows that the Earth’s mean surface temperature is at the highest level in over 130 years. [Transitioning to a clean energy future] will require creating new technologies, which will not only benefit the environment, but also raise our standard of living.”
Scott Buehrer, Vice President of Sales, Bionix Medical Technologies, Maumee, OH

“America has and must always lead the world in innovation. Focusing on developing more clean energy technologies will ensure an opportunity to avoid catastrophic and costly severe weather events. We as Americans must support stronger clean energy endeavors, regardless of change being difficult. History supports best those who chose the more difficult path to assure a better future.”
Ronald L. Anderson, President, Anderal Technologies, Hermitage, PA

“In my experience building and leading startups, I’ve seen the value of setting strong goals to catalyze innovation. Congress’s ambitious goal of powering the country with more than 50 percent clean energy by 2030 is the leadership we finally need to build the future clean energy economy.”
Ketaki Desai, Executive Director, LindenPointe Development Corporation, Hermitage, PA

“Investing in more clean energy is not only an ethical choice, but it is also a sound business decision. The less exposure we have to erratic energy markets across our vendor base, the more efficient and cost effective we will be.”
Jaime Salm, Creative Director and Managing Partner, MIO, Philadelphia, PA

“[The wind] industry offers workers excellent job opportunities in manufacturing, installing, and providing service across a broad spectrum of skill sets. Distributed power generation, for example, is one of the exciting and growing new fields in the energy sector beyond just cheaper solar panels.”
Ronald Gdovic, CEO, WindStax Wind Power Systems, Pittsburgh, PA

“Energy plays a vital part in our life, for safety, for mobility, and for growth. The United States has the capability to produce clean energy and can set standards for it, which will preserve our climate for decades to come to increase our prosperity, create new jobs, and grow our economy.”
Sabiha Sultan, CEO, Design Tech, Pittsburgh, PA

“As an entrepreneur and executive of a multi-national business organization, energy costs and environmental regulations can come at high short-term expenses. Yet our moral standards are well set on leaving a clean environment for future generations. I support reforms and initiatives […] that improve the incentive structure that encourage businesses to make bold clean energy production and consumption behavioral changes for long-term sustainability.”
Juan Pablo Alcantar, Director, AEM Mexican Entrepreneur Association USA, San Antonio, TX

“As a CEO of a renewable energy company, and a father of two young children, I would like to see us as a country lead in this effort to address the most telling issue of our times. Our country has come together in the past when there was scientific consensus, the ozone layer for example, to solve such real generational problems. This is a unique opportunity for us to be at the forefront of a new industry with high quality jobs and innovative technology. Establishing strong clean energy standards is the perfect strategy for moving beyond partisan bickering to create a proud legacy for our children and our grandchildren.”
Chris D’Couto, President and CEO, Neah Power Systems, Inc., Bothell, WA

“Quality beer enjoys a synergistic relationship with a clean and healthy planet. We are dedicated to protecting our environment, but we know that one small brewery cannot do this alone. [National leadership on clean energy would] ensure a stable climate for our farmers and create clean energy jobs in our community, so that we may continue to employee the brewing team that makes world class beer for our friends in Wisconsin.”
Deborah Carey, Founder and President, New Glarus Brewing Co., New Glarus, WI

“I encourage businesses to use the energy they need, not what they can, helping them both save money and create jobs. I hope President Obama discusses the importance of scaling up efforts to increase energy efficiency and clean energy technology.”
Andrew Wildenberg, President, e3 Power, Denver, CO

“As a producer of renewable energy out of solid waste, we rely on RINS credits to support our sales activity. Losing this revenue stream during a government shutdown will significantly impact our ability to generate more sales and, for our current customers, impact their current cash flow.” 
Steven Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Bulk Handling Systems, Eugene, OR

“Our nation must apply our unique creativity to lead the world to a standard of clean energy. The reward is boundless, and the consequence of complacency is inexcusable.”
Daniel Gregory, CEO, Pos-En, Fort Collins, CO

“[National] leadership in setting clean energy standards would reduce our long-term energy costs and make the United States more competitive than those who stick to business as usual.”
Mark Achler, Managing Director, Math Venture Partners, Deerfield, IL

“It just so happens that a business culture of energy efficiency leads to lower costs, higher profits, and reduced carbon pollution. There’s gold; only the most stubborn and blinded of business owners would ignore the opportunity.”
Jeffrey Cantin, President, Solar Alternatives, New Orleans, LA

“The amplification of uncertainty in any form is never good for business. Extreme weather picks winners and losers regardless of operating efficiency.”
Jay Steinmetz, CEI, Barcoding Inc., Baltimore, MD

“As an event planner, it’s challenging to uphold a reputation during time of severe weather and climate change. Global warming has a direct effect on states like Michigan that prosper from the presence of winter events.”
Marshell Germany, Event Coordinator, Infinity Event Solutionz, Detroit, MI

“Business concerns about climate change have been steadily building—from operational efficiency and cost concerns, to supply chain stability, to risk mitigation, and now fully into access to capital. Clean energy standards and climate policies mitigate this growing volatility and reduce the downsides at all of these aspects of business.”
Matthew Mehalik, Program Director, Sustainable Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

“Climate change has cost my software company tens of thousands of dollars in lost productivity. We need stronger clean energy standards to address this crisis before it’s too late.”
Det Ansinn, President, BrickSimple, LLC, Doylestown, PA

“Frequent losses due to the increase in erratic weather events have caused property losses to escalate for the reinsurance industry across the world. These rate increases ultimately reach our customers, not to mention ourselves.”
Kevin Smith, Owner, Smith Agency of Helena, Inc., Helena, AR

“Qualcomm supports the adoption of an ambitious global climate agreement that sets the stage for innovation to address the serious global challenge posed by climate change. We are proud to join many others from the business community to say the time to transition to a low-carbon economy is now.”
Molly Gavin, Vice President of Government Affairs and Sustainability, Qualcomm Inc., San Diego, CA

“As a chef, I worry that extreme weather, like California’s drought, may become the new normal. Our cherry and apricot seasons were early and short this year. We used to think about how to use the produce coming in. Now, I have to make sure it is coming in at all.”
Patrick Mulvaney, CEO and Owner, Mulvaney’s B&L, Sacramento, CA

“Rain, hail, and severe heat have cut production and limited distribution, affecting not only our ability to get great wines but also the livelihood of many small farmers who grow the grapes. The consequences of climate change aren’t far into the future—we’re seeing them right here, right now.”
Khalid Pitts, Owner, Cork Wine Bar and Cork Market and Tasting Room, Washington, D.C.

“Severe weather in Florida affects the real estate market tremendously. Climate change has been making this problem worse, with storms causing property damage and rising sea levels eroding beaches. Everyone who owns or rents property has something at stake.”
Eric Rollings, Realtor, uOwn Real Estate, Orlando, FL

“In the kitchen, I see how quickly climate change and severe weather are affecting my business every day. Key food products that used to be easy to find aren’t growing as readily in the area. This is causing serious changes to our menus and our food costs.”
Pam Cager, CEO, For All Occasions, LLC, Winston Salem, NC

“The increasingly erratic weather patterns have led to shipping and receiving delays, and organic milk shortages have affected Lifeway and others in our industry. The time to address climate change is now, for the sake of our consumers, our partners and our planet.”
Julie Smolyansky, President and CEO, Lifeway Foods, Chicago, IL

“Climate change has caused an increase in event insurance due to occurrences of flooding, natural disasters, and storms.”
Marshell Germany, Event Coordinator, Infinity Event Solutionz, Detroit, MI

“Our manufacturing facility sits only six feet above sea level. Each inch of sea level rise increases the risk of flooding from storms that are increasingly severe. We have the technology, let’s put it to use.”
Mark Rice, President and Founder, Maritime Applied Physics Corp, Curtis Bay, MD

“Droughts and severe weather are creating bigger gaps between regional harvests, making the price of lettuce rise like crazy. Climate change is forcing us to make tough decisions about the quality of the ingredients we use due to the continually rising costs during those gaps.”
John D’Antonio, Director of Operations and Purchasing, Funbars.com, New York, NY

“As we debate how to respond to this new, severe weather, I hope the rest of America will understand just how vulnerable our farms can be.”
Jake Braken, Manager, Green River Companies Alfalfa Farm, Green River, UT

“Climate change is our generation’s defining challenge. America’s small businesses, with our passion for innovation and ingenuity, are the leaders in converting this challenge into opportunity by developing clean, advanced energy solutions.”
Geoff Oxnam, CEO and Founder, American Microgrid Solutions, Easton, MD

“Warm winters have devastated the local ski and snowboard industry and the family businesses that support it. We hope policy makers will realize the devastating effects that climate change is having on the economy at the local level and act to curb it quickly in order to protect small businesses.”
Kjerstin Klein, CCO, Willi’s Ski and Snowboard Shops, Pittsburgh, PA

“When I ship orders to customers and these super storms slow these orders, my customers risk missing giving Christmas gifts to their families. Ending global warming is paramount to every aspect of life on this planet, including business.”
Nathan Strack, Owner, Hellinspace.com, Los Angeles, CA

“Climate change impacts our European travel business dramatically. For example, lower water levels in the Danube grounded river cruises this past fall.”
Andrea Szyper, Communications Director, Untours, Media, PA

“[This is] another missed opportunity to achieve a high-end, cleaner energy economy—one that attracts clean energy jobs and investment and furthers our state’s long tradition of environmental stewardship.”
John Imes, Co-founder/Owner, Arbor House, Ltd., Madison, WI

“While there may be a cost businesses must bear to address climate change, the cost of not addressing it is higher still.”
Rebecca Rubin, President and CEO, Marstel-Day Environmental Consulting, LLC

“It’s time to harness America’s innovative potential to combat the global challenge of climate change and restore American leadership. My company develops disruptive novel nanotechnology process methods for significant reductions in greenhouse gases that can potentially provide sustainable fuel and energy. I hope policymakers support more work like this as we work to meet the goals set at the UN climate change conference.”
F. Lee Simmons, CEO, BioEnergy Corporation, Evanston, IL

“Rent is a top cost for restaurants in Manhattan, and one of reasons it’s such a competitive market. […]Many of our restaurants rely heavily on outdoor seating, which suffers when temperatures grow to hot, or when the weather is simply too volatile to plan a date. Restaurants are earning more of their business through takeout, which hurts profits because we have to pay for delivery and customers tend to order less.”
Ken Biberaj, Chairman of the Board, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, New York, NY

“We all need to take immediate action on climate change. The ramifications of climate change are especially significant in the Manhattan business community and we look forward to mobilizing our member businesses to take action,”
Ken Biberaj, Chairman of the Board, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, New York, NY