To Young Republicans, Climate Change Is Fact, Not Fiction by DANIELLE BUTCHER The Republican Party has resoundingly rejected Republicans are looking for sustainable, common sense outlandish policy proposals born out of climate change solutions to combat climate change. They do not want alarmism, chiefly the Green New Deal. Rejecting the to be forced to choose between a strong economy and heavy-handed and burdensome tactics of these policy lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Luckily, that is a fixes was certainly the correct choice, but in rejecting false dichotomy. The Republican Party has a golden opportunity to the strategy of these proposals, the GOP has developed a proclivity toward treating climate change as fiction, lead in the green space. Not only is addressing the issue important if the GOP wants to disregarding a key voting bloc retain younger voters, but there that is concerned about the issue: has never been a better time young Republicans. to present a new way forward. Polling has revealed that Instead of relying on the same addressing human-caused climate government-led, economically change is not a fringe concern unsound approach, Republicans among young Republicans, but can present policy options that one that many feel quite strongly position the United States as about. A recent poll of voters an economic leader as well as between the ages of 18 and 35 environmental leader. conducted by my organization, One key way to lead the the American Conservation way forward on a new climate Coalition, found that 77 percent change strategy is by advancing of right-leaning young voters both energy innovation and consider climate change an issue Danielle Butcher diversity in energy sources, a that is personally important to winning issue among young them. More than 50 percent of Republicans.The American Polling has revealed that those right-leaning voters said Energy Innovation Act (AEIA), that the topic of climate change addressing human-caused recently introduced in the would impact how they voted in climate change is not a U.S. Senate, is a package of 2020. more than fifty energy-related fringe concern among Additional polling by the measures that would directly Pew Research Center echoes young Republicans, but work to advance an innovationthis message. Among young one that many feel quite based approach to clean energy Republicans, 52 percent think while also strengthening the federal government is doing strongly about. our domestic economy and too little to combat the impact national security. Senator Lisa of climate change. There is even more support for the development of alternative energy Murkowski (R-AK), one of the driving forces behind the sources, with 78 percent of young Republicans behind package, stated: “This bill is our best chance to modernize our the idea. However, 46 percent of these same young Republicans are concerned that environmental policy nation’s energy policies in more than 12 years. By working together to pass it into law, we can promote could have a harmful impact on the economy. It is evident that if Republicans do not take a range of emerging technologies that will help keep addressing climate change seriously, they are at risk energy affordable even as it becomes cleaner and cleaner. of completely losing young voters. But these young Our bill also addresses national needs by taking overdue voters are also looking for policy proposals that are steps to enhance our cybersecurity, grid security, and different from those being put forth by the left. Young mineral security.� 8
RIPON FORUM August 2020
