Businesses Fear Climate Change; New Poll Shows Business Owners Worried, Want Govt Action

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), which represents a membership network of more than 200,000 businesses, released new poll results showing that a large majority of small business owners see climate change as a risk to their businesses. A majority also want the federal government to combat climate change by limiting carbon emissions from power plants, which are the largest single source of the carbon dioxide causing climate change.

"This poll shows that most small business owners are quite worried about climate change in general and specifically endorse the EPA taking action to reduce carbon emissions," said David Levine, CEO of the American Sustainable Business Council. "Policymakers on both sides of the aisle should pay attention."

The national, scientific, telephone survey of small business owners found that 87% of business owners named one or more consequences of climate change as po­tentially damaging to their businesses.

Other key findings from the report expand on the growing concerns of business owners about climate change:

• 57% said that the biggest carbon emitters should make the biggest reduc­tions in carbon emissions and bear most of the costs of reduction efforts.
• 53% expressed concern about higher energy costs, closely followed by power outages due to stress on the power grid and rising health care costs.
• 64% support govern­ment regulation to reduce carbon emissions from power plants.

This poll comes after other recent high profile national surveys showing that the American public supports taking action on climate by large and increasing numbers.  The new ASBC poll finds that businesses too are strongly rejecting the climate denial argument and calling for action. 

ASBC's poll was conducted by Lake Research Partners and is available here: http://bit.ly/ASBCClimatePollRpt

The American Sustainable Business Council and the ASBC Action Fund represent a membership network of more than 200,000 businesses nationwide, and more than 325,000 entrepreneurs, executives, managers and investors. The Council www.asbcouncil.org informs policy makers and the public about the need and opportunities for building a vibrant and sustainable economy. The Action Fund www.asbcaction.org advocates for legislative change. 

Contact: Bob Keener, 617-610-6766, [email protected]

SOURCE American Sustainable Business Council