Voters are sending many conservation leaders — new faces and veterans — to Washington, after largely rejecting candidates who told voters that we have gone too far in protecting our environment. When the new Congress convenes in January, however, power will once again be divided between a Republican House and a Democratic President and Senate. So what does it mean for the environment and green politics?
In a guest blog, Climate Progress examines the question
As GOP leaders look for ways to broaden their appeal, they should start by returning to the party’s Teddy Roosevelt conservation roots and offering a vision of Republican environmental leadership that connects with the strong environmental values of voters.
This election featured GOP candidates who took a sharp departure from the Republican Party’s strong history of leading fights for stewardship of America’s lands, wildlife, clean air and clean water.
Republican conservationists haven’t disappeared, but they have been marginalized and are not sufficiently represented within the party structure. Outside Washington, conservation values among many Republicans are strong:
Look at the continued flight from the GOP of young voters, who rate the environment, climate change and clean energy near the top of their concerns.
And don’t forget the 9-point gender gap (with 55 percent of women voting for President Obama). Surveys consistently demonstrate that women have strong concerns over clean air, clean water and leaving a healthy environment for future generations.
Democratic and Republican candidates endorsed by conservation action groups can’t match the financial resources of corporations, but conservation issues resonate with voters, and Americans are suspicious of candidates backed heavily by corporate polluters.
