• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 

2

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'

3

Meet a 21-year-old community college student who's going to China as the first American woman welder in the trades Olympics

1

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 

2

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'

3

Meet a 21-year-old community college student who's going to China as the first American woman welder in the trades Olympics
climate change

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Calls Out Facebook, Google and Microsoft for ‘Implicit Support’ of Climate Change Denial

By
Laura Stampler/TIME
Laura Stampler/TIME
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Laura Stampler/TIME
Laura Stampler/TIME
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 28, 2019, 4:00 PM ET

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez isn’t mad at three of the world’s biggest tech companies, she’s just “deeply disappointed.

The Congresswoman from New York and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) co-wrote an open letter Monday to the CEOs of Facebook, Google, and Microsoft that accuses them of giving their “implicit support” to climate change deniers.

“We were deeply disappointed to see that your companies were high-level sponsors of a conference this month in Washington D.C., known as LibertyCon, that included a session denying established science on climate change,” the congresswomen wrote.

The libertarian student-run conference hosted a variety of session and groups including one called the CO2 Coalition which, Mother Jones reports, handed out brochures to “explain how our lives and our planet Earth will be improved by additional atmospheric carbon dioxide.”

It should be noted that, according to the LibertyCon schedule, there was also a session titled “Are Carbon Taxes a Viable Solution for Climate Change?” in which two groups debated whether it could “help us take better care of the environment” or was “another ineffective tax grab?”

Although Facebook declined to comment on the letter or the conference, a spokesperson did direct Fortune to its sustainability page, explaining its commitment to fight climate change by reducing its “greenhouse gas footprint by 75% and reaching 100% renewable energy by 2020,” and noted that Facebook was a participant in the recent COP24 climate summit.

A Google spokesperson also emphasized the company’s dedication to environmental causes in an email to Fortune.

“Google has long been a leader in sustainability. Since 2007, we have operated as a carbon neutral company and in 2017, we reached 100% renewable energy for our global operations,” the spokesperson wrote. “Today, we have contracts to purchase nearly 3.5 gigawatts of output from renewable energy projects, making us one of the largest corporate purchasers of renewable energy in the world. To date, our renewable energy contracts have led to over $5 billion in new capital investment around the globe.”

As for its sponsorship of the conference, Google stressed to Mother Jones, which wrote about the event prior to the congresswomen’s rebuke, “We sponsor organizations from across the political spectrum to promote strong technology laws” and that sponsorship or collaboration doesn’t equate endorsement of agenda or ideas, as is stated in its public policy transparency report.

Microsoft did not respond to Fortune’s request for comment.

But the letter by Ocasio-Cortez and Pingree notes that past positive actions do not erase problematic behavior. And that monetary support isn’t as far from ideological support as the companies would like to believe.

In spite of being “encouraged” by the companies past initiatives to decrease their carbon footprint and find new energy sources, the Congresswomen warned, “The example you have set promoting sustainability and evidence-based science is compromised by your implicit support of the session.”

Particularly considering the dangers of misinformation campaigns, as Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.

We cannot allow the financing of misinformation campaigns to shape our democracy.

We can disagree on policy, but climate change is real. Period.

Proud to have joined @chelliepingree on this letter asking for greater responsibility to our democracy and planet. https://t.co/5hLsg1FmgT

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 28, 2019

“We cannot allow the financing of misinformation campaigns to shape our democracy,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a tweet. “We can disagree on policy, but climate change is real. Period.”

Chellie Pingree also noted in a tweet that even if companies “have made public commitments to reduce emissions,” she believed that “their sponsorship of a conference where climate change denial was promoted is dangerous and troubling.”

Corporations can’t be complicit in denying climate change. @Facebook, @Microsoft, & @Google have made public commitments to reduce emissions, but their sponsorship of a conference where climate change denial was promoted is dangerous and troubling to me & @AOC. Read our letter ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0bLBcxW7Hf

— Congresswoman Chellie Pingree 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 (@chelliepingree) January 28, 2019

Ocasio-Cortez has made it clear that she thinks there needs to be a collective responsibility for reducing the impact of climate change—and that responsibility may fall particularly hard on wealthy companies and citizens.

While Monday’s letter calls for the world’s richest companies to use their power and pockets to set the tone social good, the Congresswoman has also implied that wealthy citizens who can afford to make the most impact on environmental change should be asked to do so.

Before taking office, Ocasio-Cortez suggested creating a “Select Committee for a Green New Deal,” which would focus on neutralizing U.S. economy greenhouse gas emissions. In order to pay for the program, she told Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes earlier this month that she would be open a 70% income tax rate on the world’s richest people, as was done in the 1960s and 1970s.

About the Author
By Laura Stampler/TIME
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Current price of Ethereum for May 21, 2026
Personal FinanceEthereum
Current price of Ethereum for May 21, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 21, 2026
4 minutes ago
Current price of Bitcoin for May 21, 2026
Personal FinanceCryptocurrency
Current price of Bitcoin for May 21, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 21, 2026
4 minutes ago
allbirds
AILayoffs
Allbirds’ 600% stock surge says a lot about how ‘AI washing’ became the new ‘greenwashing’
By Suvrat Dhanorkar and The ConversationMay 21, 2026
6 minutes ago
Current price of gold as of May 21, 2026
Personal Financegold prices
Current price of gold as of May 21, 2026
By Danny BakstMay 21, 2026
7 minutes ago
Top CD rates from major banks May 21, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
Personal FinanceCertificates of Deposit (CDs)
Top CD rates from major banks on May 21, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
By Joseph HostetlerMay 21, 2026
12 minutes ago
Current price of oil as of May 21, 2026
Personal FinanceOil
Current price of oil as of May 21, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 21, 2026
21 minutes ago

Most Popular

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
Workplace Culture
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
2 days ago
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
Success
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
By Preston ForeMay 20, 2026
22 hours ago
Meet a 21-year-old community college student who's going to China as the first American woman welder in the trades Olympics
Future of Work
Meet a 21-year-old community college student who's going to China as the first American woman welder in the trades Olympics
By Mike Householder and The Associated PressMay 17, 2026
4 days ago
Dr. Bernice King on why companies that walked back DEI were never truly committed: 'If you retreat that quick…that reveals who you really are'
Workplace Culture
Dr. Bernice King on why companies that walked back DEI were never truly committed: 'If you retreat that quick…that reveals who you really are'
By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of May 20, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 20, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 20, 2026
24 hours ago
Pay transparency is exposing a bigger problem: Most companies can't explain why they pay what they pay
Workplace Culture
Pay transparency is exposing a bigger problem: Most companies can't explain why they pay what they pay
By Sydney LakeMay 20, 2026
18 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.