Can protecting nature be nonpartisan?

The Trump administration’s continued efforts to privatize public land and roll back environmental protections have sparked controversy and concern among conservationists. The recent announcement by the Bureau of Land Management to trade away 2 million acres of public land along Alaska’s Dalton Highway has raised alarms about the potential for mining and development in the area.

This move is just one in a series of decisions made by the White House to open up public lands to exploitation. From shrinking national monuments to opening up national forests for logging, the Trump administration has been relentless in its efforts to dismantle environmental regulations and pave the way for resource extraction.

Amidst this backdrop, President Trump signed an executive order in July to “Make America Beautiful Again,” which aims to balance environmental stewardship with economic growth. The establishment of a commission to advise the president on conservation efforts has left many wondering about the future of environmental policy in the country.

One individual looking to influence the direction of environmental policy is Benji Backer, a conservative conservationist who founded the American Conservation Coalition (ACC) eight years ago. Backer recently launched Nature is Nonpartisan, a new organization that aims to promote environmental action regardless of political affiliation. He believes that a bipartisan approach is essential for ensuring the protection of the environment for future generations.

Despite his optimism, Backer has faced challenges in his efforts to influence policy within the Trump administration. Lobbying efforts by the American Conservation Coalition have met with mixed success, with some policies being altered significantly from their original intent.

Despite these challenges, Backer remains committed to advocating for conservation and environmental protection. As the debate over public lands and environmental policy continues to unfold, it is clear that the fight to preserve our natural resources is far from over. The tax credits that empower the private sector to invest in clean, reliable energy have been a hot topic of debate in recent political discussions. Danielle Franz, the chief executive officer of ACC, emphasized the importance of using resources to reward innovation and provide market-based incentives. However, the lobbying effort outlined in a leaked, outdated draft did not come to fruition, resulting in significant cuts to federal incentives for wind, solar, and other renewable energy projects in the reconciliation bill. Despite this setback, support for nuclear and geothermal power was retained.

Conservative voices played a significant role in shaping environmental policy during the budget bill debate. When Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee proposed the sale of federal land, it sparked backlash from various groups, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of the bill. This event highlighted the influence that GOP conservation groups like ACC can have in determining environmental policy.

Nature Is Nonpartisan, led by Backer, is working to build on this momentum by developing a list of politically feasible priorities, including funding for water pollution, reforming the Endangered Species Act, and addressing maintenance backlogs in National Parks. The organization aims to bring together conservation groups from both sides of the political spectrum to work towards common environmental goals.

Conservatives, according to Franz, have a deep-rooted history of conservation within the Republican party. While public opinion on climate change has shifted in recent years, Republicans still prioritize consumer costs and fossil fuels over renewable energy. Franz emphasizes the need for solutions aligned with conservative values rather than moralistic arguments.

ACC has advocated for an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, including renewables, and supports Trump’s energy abundance strategy. However, data from the International Energy Agency suggests that no new fossil fuel development can move forward if global climate goals are to be met. Studies also show that U.S. methane emissions are severely undercounted, highlighting the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels.

Christine Todd Whitman, former Republican governor of New Jersey, expressed concern over the Trump administration’s dismantling of environmental regulations, citing a lack of respect for science. She believes that states will have to take the lead in climate action in the absence of federal leadership, pointing to initiatives like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative as examples of state-driven efforts to reduce emissions. In recent years, a coalition of states led by Democratic governors has been working diligently to promote environmental conservation and sustainability. However, it’s important to note that several of these states have had Republican governors in the past, showcasing bipartisan efforts towards protecting the environment. Former EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman acknowledges the presence of environmentally conscious Republicans, but she emphasizes the importance of actions over words when evaluating the current administration’s environmental policies.

Despite the challenges posed by the Trump administration’s expansion of oil and gas leasing, rollback of environmental regulations, and weakening of methane emissions standards, there is still hope for building conservative consensus around a sustainable future. As Heather Reams of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions points out, conservatives should recognize the value of protecting the country’s natural resources.