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The Conservative Climate Movement with Benji Backer

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The Conservative Climate Movement with Benji Backer

New My Climate Journey Podcast

MCJ Collective
Aug 8, 2022
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The Conservative Climate Movement with Benji Backer

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Today's guest is Benji Backer, Founder and President of the American Conservation Coalition (ACC). 

Listen to the Podcast

ACC is focused on building a grassroots movement amongst the right-of-center space for climate action, with 150 chapters across the country. Benji is a passionate environmentalist and out to change the minds of people who think conservative and climate change advocate don't belong in the same sentence. 

We have a great discussion in this episode about Benji's upbringing, what led him to care about climate change, how he reconciles that with his conservative viewpoints, and the fact that the Republican Party hasn't necessarily put climate change as a front and center issue. We also talk about ACC's work and their theory of change. And no conversation would be complete without covering the roles of innovation and policy, and the current polarized political climate and path forwards from here.

Enjoy the show!

💥 Starting TODAY at 8am PST / 11am EST / 4pm BST, Benji will be answering questions in the #c-mcj-ama channel for 48 hours. Set your reminders, and get your questions ready!

In today’s episode, we cover: 

  • An overview of the American Conservation Coalition and the work they do

  • Benji's background and his passion for the environment

  • His transition from conservative activist to climate activist 

  • How he reconciles his passions and conservative viewpoints

  • The two-party system and its shortcomings 

  • Increasing polarization in the US 

  • Who controls the narrative in Washington vs. who gets bills passed

  • The Build Back Better Bill 

  • The Republican party's shift away from conservation in the early 2000s

  • Issues with the climate narrative leaving people out

  • Benji's views on how to balance self-interest and taking action on climate solutions

  • The role of government in addressing the climate crisis 

  • Consumer behavior changes 

  • The intersection between of climate change and environmental justice in cities and rural communities 

  • Benji's key priorities over the next 12-24 months 

  • ACC's Climate Commitment plan 

  • Who he wants to hear from

🎙 Related My Climate Journey Podcasts:

  • Ep 47: Mark Reynolds, Citizens' Climate Lobby

  • Ep 115: May Boeve, 350.org

  • Ep 15: Rich Powell, ClearPath 

  • Ep 12: Alex Flint, The Alliance for Market Solutions

  • Climate Careers: Eliza Nemser, Climate Changemakers

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The Conservative Climate Movement with Benji Backer

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