Benji Backer, the founder of the American Conservation Coalition and author of The Conservative Environmentalist: Common Sense Solutions for a Sustainable Future, recently sat down with Chamber Business News to discuss his new book and his views on environmental policy.
Backer’s book is a culmination of his experiences traveling to hundreds of communities to find solutions to environmental challenges. He emphasizes the need for common-sense solutions that focus on incremental progress and collaboration across party lines.
In the interview, Backer highlights the importance of government streamlining its role in the new green economy to support sustainable business practices. He argues that regulations should incentivize the right behavior rather than hinder progress.
When it comes to energy sources, Backer advocates for the inclusion of natural gas and nuclear energy in the clean energy future. He believes that these sources are essential for providing reliable, cost-effective energy while reducing emissions.
Despite vocal opposition to natural gas and nuclear energy, Backer asserts that renewables alone are not yet ready to replace traditional energy sources on a large scale. He stresses the need for a balanced approach that considers the realities of energy demand and reliability.
Overall, Backer’s message is one of collaboration and pragmatism in addressing environmental challenges. He calls for bipartisan efforts to find common ground and move towards a more sustainable future for all.