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Apple's Tim Cook: 'Get on board' with climate change

Apple's Tim Cook on climate change
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Apple's Tim Cook on climate change

Apple CEO Tim Cook took on the hot-button issue of climate change on Monday during the Climate Week NYC 2014 conference.

Speaking during the opening day of the high-profile climate change event, Cook said people shouldn't accept a trade-off when it comes to business and the environment.

"What are the root causes?" he said. "And you are not accepting that there is a trade-off between the economy and the environment. Too many people believe you can do this or that. What we found is that both are doable. If you innovate and you set the bar high, you will find a way to do both."

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Cook added: "When you realize it and you see the urgency, it is time to act now. Everyone that hasn't been on board, that's OK, but now is the time to get on board."

In addition to Cook, Climate Week drew the likes of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and dozens more dignitaries and business leaders. Climate Week's organizers seek to bring attention to the U.N.'s Climate Summit on Tuesday.

On Sunday, close to 310,000 people marched through New York City to kick off Climate Week. It was the biggest single protest against climate change ever, . The next day, hundreds of protesters took to Wall Street to call attention to the perceived connection between capitalism and climate change.

—By CNBC.com staff