Automakers and climate change

American automobile manufacturers are typically not viewed as "green" businesses. The manufacture of their central product requires tremendous expenditure of natural resources. The ordinary operation of autos likewise necessitates substantial consumption of petroleum -- and production of pollution.

Nonetheless, Ford and Chrysler last week joined General Motors in the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, which has called for the federal government to enact legislation that includes mandatory reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. The group represents real economic clout:

The expansion of the coalition will bring the total revenues of USCAP companies to over $1.9 trillion, with a total workforce of more than 2.3 million and operations in all 50 states and around the world. The members have a combined market capitalization of more than $1.9 trillion.

Other members include Alcoa, ConocoPhillips, Dow Chemical, Johnson & Johnson, PepsiCo and Shell.

USCAP's "A Call for Action" centered primarily on adoption of a mandatory market-based "cap and trade" system, which has the support of some Senate Republicans -- and Joe Lieberman.


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