We live in polarized world where hard-lined political ideologies make it difficult for us to talk, let alone hear each other. So, when faced with the existential crisis of climate change, how can we make any progress? Turns out there is hope.
There is one solution to climate change that has actually been embraced by both sides of the political spectrum: Carbon Fee and Dividend (aka: Cap and Dividend). Carbon Fee and Dividend is the idea of applying a fee that companies would pay for their carbon output (or imports) and sending that money directly back to the people to offset the increase in fuel costs. It puts pressure on the market to move away from fossil fuels and the dividends provide an incentive for people to move toward more affordable renewable sources so they can use the extra money for other things.
Conservatives like it because it is a market-based solution, it isn’t a tax (because it goes back to the people), it won’t increase the size of government, and would actually make less regulations required. Progressives like it because, well, it’ll actually work.
So, do you have some conservatives in your life that you’ve been avoiding lately? Instead of telling them they are wrong about everything, engage them with ideas from other conservatives that just so happen to align with your goals too.
Here are a few things you can share with them…
- Best of the Left Edition #1108: “A conservative solution to solving climate change” highlights real conservatives addressing climate change with a solution that fits their ideology. It just happens to be one that the left has known for a long time will actually work. Share the show with your conservative friends, or, if you think they won’t be receptive because of the name of our show, share the individual clips.
- RepublicEN, highlighted in the BOTL #1108, is a group of over 3,000 conservatives and libertarians who are educating Americans about free-enterprise solutions to climate change. Share or get involved with RepublicEN at RepublicEn.org.
- The Evangelical Environmental Network, highlighted in BOTL #1108, is a group of 200,000 evangelical, pro-life Christians, who see themselves as “stewards of the bounty upon which all life depends.” They believe being pro-life also means protecting the environment that is essential to our quality of life. Share or get involved with EEN at CreationCare.org
- And finally, if you can get them onboard with Carbon Fee and Dividend, introduce them to the Citizens Climate Lobby, a non-profit, non-partisan grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. They have chapters all over the country, and the globe, and they lobbying for one thing and one thing only: Carbon Fee and Dividend legislation.
SAMPLE TWEETS/POSTS:
- GOP friends: Thoughts on a free-market, reduced reg #climatechange solution? This conservative org has a plan: http://www.republicen.org/
- These Evangelicals want to solve #climatechange b/c they are "stewards of the bounty on which all life depends." http://www.creationcare.org/
So, if making sure we actually get to even try to solve climate change is important to you, be sure to hit the share buttons to spread the word about Bringing MORE Conservatives On Board to a Carbon Fee & Dividend #ClimateChange Solution via social media so that others in your network can spread the word too.
TAKE ACTION
Let’s solve climate change! Engage with your conservative friends…
- Share this show, or, individual clips from BOTL #1108.
- Are they free-market obsessed? Share the organization RepublicEN.org
- Are they religious/Evangelical? Share the organization Evangelical Environmental Network
- Are they on board with Carbon Fee & Dividend? Share the Citizens Climate Lobby and get involved too! Find a chapter near you.
EDUCATE YOURSELF
AN EVANGELICAL MOVEMENT TAKES ON CLIMATE CHANGE (Newsweek, 2016)
Conservatives Plan for a Carbon Tax (The New York Times)
Citizens Climate Lobby pushes for a carbon tax and dividend (The Guardian, 2013)
7 Reasons Conservatives Should Support Climate Change Solutions (Huffington Post)
New economic study shows carbon tax refunded to households would create jobs (Citizens Climate Lobby, 2014)
Posted May 30, 2017; Written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman.
Hear Best of the Left Edition #1108: A conservative solution to solving climate change
