By Lauren Griffin

Big news is coming from Washington D.C.! Earlier this week the White House announced that 81 companies, in an effort to create a more sustainable future, have signed the American Business Act on Climate Change. This is a huge victory for the United States as these companies operate and provide employment all throughout the country and generate a combined annual revenue of trillions of dollars.

These companies are going to transform their business operations in order to reduce their carbon footprints. They intend to do so by reducing emissions (up to 50 percent), water usage (up to 80 percent), deforestation and landfill waste. An increase in low-carbon investments and renewable energy will prove to peer companies that business changes to address climate change are achievable and necessary. Some of the 81 big-name companies that have agreed to the pledge are Apple, AT&T, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Google, HP, Proctor & Gamble, Starbucks, Walmart and many more highly influential and widely recognized brands. Each company has drafted specific goals and changes to be implemented within the near future timelines.

Climate change is a global crisis with detrimental effects that are already being unleashed. This issue must be addressed worldwide and requires changes from major economies. 150 countries have already submitted future climate policies to the U.N. in support of their Conference on Climate Change in Paris, set to take place in November/December 2015.

Visit whitehouse.gov for more information.