In Review
Last time, [link url=”https://amuedge.com/conservative-reasons-for-supporting-climate-change-part-i/” title=”I set the stage”] for a discussion of how climate change recognition and adaptation is in line with the philosophies of both the progressive and conservative worldview.
The alignment with the progressive worldview is already apparent, since the progressive elements of our society are the ones already working on preparation, mitigation, and adaptation, so that won’t be discussed here.
The conservative case is a little less apparent.
Conservative Values
As discussed last time, [link url=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatism” title=”conservatism”] values include:
- The status quo
- Belief systems
- Tradition
- Respect for authority
… and so in modern society, that has translated to:
- A desire for governance founded on religious moral values.
- Respect for long-held traditions, deference to revered conservative political leaders, and the leadership of wealthy individuals & successful corporations.
So, one by one, it is important to examine each of these values to show how climate change recognition and adaptation is part and parcel of the conservative worldview.
Conservative perspectives with respect to climate change
Moral values
Here is probably the second-most misunderstood Bible verse ever:
Genesis 1:28: (King James) … God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
There are three critical words in this passage: dominion, subdue, and replenish.
Dominion is certainly something that we’ve pursued and arguably accomplished. There are no flora or fauna that currently have the ability to decimate our society. The most dangerous enemies in this regard would be viruses such as HIV, Ebola, and Zika. Yet, we’ve been able to dominate the impact of those with admittedly tragic but overall minimal impact on the ability of our civilization to survive.
Subdue is kind of a nebulous term. How do you subdue something? We ‘subdued’ Nazi Germany only to have Germany turn into the fourth-largest economy in the world. We ‘subdued’ Iraq only to have it turn into ISIS and similar that are not subdued at all. So it seems apparent that we don’t really know what ‘subdued’ means–at least, not in any meaningful way.
Replenish is a word that has been lost in the rush to improve the human condition. And we haven’t done well. Consider:
– How has the exploitation of oil resources to the point they’re nearing depletion supported replenishment?
– How has the depletion of fossil water reserves enhanced replenishment?
– How have deforestation, desertification, strip mining, and fracking supported a replenish-able environment?
All of these activities are currently violating the moral imperative that Genesis has laid upon our society. But if you don’t want to believe me, then don’t. Here’s a far more eloquent [link url=”http://time.com/4530651/conservative-christian-case-for-climate-change-action/?xid=fbshare” title=”presentation of the moral case I’ve been making”].
Long-held traditions
In keeping with the conservative value of tradition with measured protective activism, the [link url=”http://yc4er.org/about-us/” title=”Young Conservatives for Energy Reform”] (YC4ER) is working to convert our energy base from one of environmental destruction (itself a violation of conservative values) to sustainability and environmental protection. After all, Republican Theodore Roosevelt [link url=”https://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/historyculture/theodore-roosevelt-and-conservation.htm” title=”created 150 million acres of national forest and established the U.S. Forest Service”]. Republican Richard Nixon signed the [link url=”https://www3.epa.gov/” title=”Environmental Protection Agency”] into being.
The YC4ER is working towards climate change adaptation through development of renewable energy. Their mission statement notes: ‘Our main goal is to create meaningful energy reform focusing on the key concerns of national security and economic growth through home grown energy and “clean technology” jobs to ensure a prosperous economy now and for future generations of Americans.’
Conservatives once supported conservation and conservatism.
Yet, over time, the message became polluted by corporate interests, particularly those of the oil industry. Maybe it’s time to recognize and acknowledge that the oil industry and all of its spokespersons, from the Koch brothers to Senator Inhofe, don’t represent conservative values. Because they really don’t. If you’re looking to find leaders that are worthy of your deference, then please select those that are not invested in violation of conservative and moral imperatives.
In Summary
I hope this shows that, despite all the efforts to whip our country’s citizens into a frenzy of ‘us vs. them’ by media and other special interests that have a stake in keeping us at each other’s throats, that we’re not so different after all.
As JFK said, there is not a republican answer and a democratic answer–there is an American answer. As Ronald Reagan said, we are the shining city on the hill that all other aspire to be. Both of them understood the futility–and danger–of trying to drive the citizens of our society into factions with irresolvable conflicting views. That way lies madness.
This political season has certainly accentuated that madness. It doesn’t really matter which media outlet is your favorite–whether it’s Fox News or MSNBC, the pundits are reinforcing the notion that we’re two different peoples–and we’ve got to put a stop to that, as soon after November 8 as we can. The future of our country depends on it.
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