Today, Explained It’s not easy being a green conservative
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Jun 20, 2024 Benji Backer, a young conservationist and founder of the American Conservation Coalition, advocates for a Republican embrace of climate activism. He’s joined by Akshat Rathi, a senior climate reporter at Bloomberg, who explores how capitalism can drive climate solutions. They discuss the potential for bipartisan support in tackling environmental issues and the rich history of legislative cooperation. The duo also delves into capitalism's complex role in both causing and addressing climate change, urging collaboration between governments and businesses.
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Benji's Political Background
- Benji Backer's first campaigns were for John McCain and Mitt Romney.
- He values fiscal conservatism, limited government, and American ingenuity.
Conservative Environmentalism
- Many conservatives want to protect the environment, but dislike proposed climate solutions.
- Reframing climate action as job creation and pollution reduction could bridge the divide.
Historical Bipartisanship
- Historically, environmentalism has been bipartisan, with Republican presidents supporting key legislation.
- Benji Backer believes this bipartisanship can be revived due to shared environmental concerns.
