Today, Explained It’s not easy being a green conservative
8 snips
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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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.
Bipartisan Policy Examples
- A bipartisan bill incentivized farmers to lower carbon emissions, benefiting both agriculture and the environment.
- Repurposing closing coal plants for renewable energy sources offers another example.
Capitalism's Dual Role
- While capitalism contributed to climate change, it can also drive solutions through innovation.
- Government should not stifle innovation, but create incentives.
