Thank Apple for standing up to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on climate change.

Apple — one of the most innovative companies in the world — quit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over the its position on global warming. Apple had criticized the Chamber for not having a “more progressive stance” on climate change, saying, “We strongly object to the Chamber’s comments opposing the EPA’s efforts to limit greenhouse gases.”

In response, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue, who last year called for further “scientific inquiry” into climate science because of a “cooling trend,” rebuked Steve Jobs for leaving, saying: “It is unfortunate that your company didn’t take the time to understand the Chamber’s position on climate and forfeited the opportunity to advance a 21st century approach to climate change.”

Actually, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a 19th-century stance on global warming. Clean energy is the future of America’s economy, with the power to create millions of new jobs. Instead, the Chamber’s opposition to cutting carbon emissions is holding business back.

Thank you, Apple, for telling the Chamber it’s time to lead, follow, or get out of the way on climate change.