Why is Microsoft - one the world's biggest corporations - having such a struggle pulling up its pants on climate change policy?
Oh Ballmer.
Love him or hate him, those who recognize Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer can't help but marvel as one does over sixties B-horror movies - with a mix gruesome wonder and amusement. One thing we know for sure is that he loves the spotlight (and has the sweat stains to prove it). If only he could infuse his stand-up performance with a little vision and take a real position on climate change.
I'm willing to bet there is only so long a media persona like Ballmer's can run on sweaty exuberance alone. Microsoft's business needs this cherub to put on green wings and fly to Copenhagen.
Microsoft failing to act
As the climate summit in Copenhagen draws near, Microsoft remains dismally low on the Cool IT green ranking for IT firms, scoring a pitiful 23/100, only half of what major competitors IBM and HP attained. Microsoft still hasn't spoken out on climate policy, and posts a wimpy relative (rather than absolute) own emissions reduction target of only 30 percent based on 2007 levels (rather than the 1990 standard).
With all its PR and lobbying weight Microsoft could have a huge impact in driving US Climate legislation in the right direction. Instead, it continues to fund the US Chamber of Commerce and its anti-climate smoke-stack - unlike Apple which actually quit the Chamber in opposition to its fossilized stance.
Steve Ballmer should speak up now and use the right words: 1) to set ambitious emissions targets for Microsoft and 2) tell the US Government to bring even better targets to the Copenhagen summit next week. A man clearly fueled by his audience then, perhaps what Ballmer really needs is just a little of the right encouragement.
Take Action
It’s time Microsoft spoke out on climate change.