I don’t sip from a paper straw in my electric vehicle, but I’m still a conservative who cares about the environment.
The difference between a liberal and me is in our approach. We have different solutions for protecting the environment and different beliefs on the extent of human-based climate change. Sadly, some others in the conservative party, including some of those on the 2024 Republican primary ballot, can’t seem to recognize the importance of protecting the world.
During the first Republican Presidential Debate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis seemingly avoided the question of climate change and focused on the media. While his point had merit, he failed to discuss the importance of climate change and the environment. DeSantis was right to point out that Biden was on the beach when problems like the Maui wildfires arose. Yes, Biden did visit to check in, but continually spends his weekends vacationing on the beaches in Deleware. The media does have a double standard on Republicans and Democrats. Republicans get rebuked while Democrats get applause.
Businessman and 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called the climate change agenda “a hoax.”
Whether you believe in climate change or not, all people should be able to agree that we need clean air and clean oceans, and we need to reduce waste in order to create an environment that allows future generations to flourish. These three examples aren’t about partisanship. They are about protecting the environment and being good stewards of the world.
Conservatives often promote faith in God, and the Judeo-Christian values that built this nation.
“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground,’” Genesis 1:26 reads.
God gave man dominion, which comes with responsibility.
While not all conservatives are Christian, the values of Christianity still remain prevalent in the party and are expressed by several party leaders. If we want to continue promoting faith, we need to get on the right side of this issue and start advocating for protecting the Earth.
Whether one’s devotion to the cause is big or small, caring for the environment isn’t too much to ask for. It can be as simple as using less plastic.
I’m not suggesting you must believe in climate change, but what you should believe in is ensuring we leave this Earth better than it was. Do we want to be the generation that makes the Earth a dumpsterfire, or do we want to be the generation that is known for using our resources well and providing for a greater future?
According to a 2018 article by the World Bank, 2.01 billion tons of trash are produced annually. Of that amount, at least 33% is not regulated in a way that is safe for the environment.
By 2050, that number is expected to be 3.40 billion tons.
North America isn’t the worst offender. That award goes to the East Asia and Pacific Region, according to the World Bank. Still, the United States can still play a part in holding other countries accountable and working to do its part. The people can all do simple things like picking up trash, not wasting as much, and conserving water. These are easy tasks all can, and must, do.
When you are done with something, throw it away. When you have a cup, don’t get another one for your next drink. When you are brushing your teeth, turn the water off while you brush.
At the end of the day, whether you are a Republican or Democrat doesn’t matter. What does matter is standing your ground and doing what you know is best. As Dr. Seuss writes in “The Lorax,” “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
Micah Hart is a junior studying politics and journalism.
