Tell Microsoft: Stop sponsoring the Kochs' climate lies...

Microsoft's corporate policy says that climate change requires "a comprehensive and global response" and "dramatic innovations to transition the world to a sustainable low-carbon economy."

So why was Microsoft a "gold" level sponsor at the Koch brother's Tea Party Conference in Washington, DC last weekend?

It is thoroughly irresponsible for a corporation as mainstream as Microsoft to be backing the radical climate denial lies at the heart of the Koch's conference and fossil fuel agenda. And to do it in clear violation of the company's policy is sheer hypocrisy.

We need to make sure Microsoft is held publicly accountable.

Tell Microsoft: Stop sponsoring the Kochs' climate denial lies.

The "Defending the American Dream" conference was attended by prominent Republican climate deniers including leading Republican Presidential Candidates Mitt Romney and Herman Cain.

A photo captured by a reporter for Salon.com lists Microsoft as a "Gold Sponsor" -- a $25,000 contribution that includes being a title sponsor of a conference breakout room, having their name on dinner tables for "grassroots" tea party attendees, and "special recognition" in all conference materials, including on stage.3

Yet despite the prominent positioning in the conference, Microsoft isn't trying to advertise their sponsorship. Microsoft's name is one of many sponsors not listed on the conference website (along with Conservative newspaper the Washington Times and major Tobacco company Altria), and Microsoft's PR firm has declined to provide us a comment on their sponsorship.

Tell Microsoft: Stop sponsoring the Kochs' climate denial lies.

Microsoft claims to support the fight to end global warming, including "research efforts on this topic being conducted by leading environmental groups, scientists, and governments around the world." Further, Microsoft says "We see an important role for governments to provide the frameworks that spur the transition to a low-carbon economy." Yet those goals are obstructed every day by the work of conference hosts Americans for Prosperity, and Microsoft's fellow conference sponsors.

The climate denial agenda also actively undermines the important work of the Gates Foundation, established by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, which has made meaningful gains in the areas of global health and development. Rapidly escalating climate change poses tremendous threats to global health, so you would think that Microsoft, which is still chaired by Gates, wouldn't want to support the efforts of the Koch brothers and or the Chamber of Commerce to deny the science of climate change and maintain our national and global reliance on devastating fossil fuels.

Microsoft's support of this conference is not OK. The company needs to stop undermining its principles, renounce climate denial, and stop sponsoring events that promote dangerous lies and dangerous policies.

Tell Microsoft: Stop sponsoring the Kochs' climate denial lies.

1. "Microsoft Funds Koch's Climate-Denying Tea Party Conference," Think Progress, November 4, 2011
2. "Climate Change Policy Statement" Microsoft
3. "General Sponsorship," Defending the American Dream Summit