WORDS BY DANIELLE BUTCHER FRANZ
artwork by yannick Lowery
The morning of the first Republican presidential debate, I penned an op-ed imploring conservative leaders to “leave a climate legacy” on the debate stage. As the nation tuned in that night, just 20 minutes into the programming, a young man posed the only audience question of the evening. To the surprise of many, the Republican presidential hopefuls were asked about climate change.
The question was an unexpected and defining moment. In many ways, it was both a symbolic and literal representation of the future calling to the present. While candidate engagement varied, it was largely disappointing for those of us who are climate minded. The good news, though, is that there is still time for Republicans to answer the call.
Tonight, at the second debate, candidates must be ready to chart a path forward and demonstrate to young Americans that climate is an issue they are equipped to tackle. Climate change doesn’t see political parties. The heat is baking both Austin and Amarillo; the seas are rising from Louisiana to the Lower East Side. Environmental action shouldn’t be partisan. And to succeed—to ensure a livable planet for generations to come—we need all hands on deck.
I grew up in Northern Minnesota—the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” Spending time in the woods and waters, I developed a profound appreciation for our nation’s precious natural resources. My love of home and community fed my conviction that conservative values offer the best means to protect these resources, which has only strengthened over time. In my career as an environmental advocate, I’ve come to discover that I am far from alone in this belief.
My journey in environmental advocacy began over seven years ago when I became a founding member of Conservatives for Environmental Reform (CFER), which has since transformed into the American Conservation Coalition (ACC), an organization building a grassroots environmental movement. At our founding in 2017, climate was an unusual topic in conservative circles. As a startup nonprofit run by 20-somethings, each meeting secured, each media hit placed, and each membership sign-up was a hard fought battle. But these days, we’ve seen a remarkable shift.
Tonight, at the second debate, candidates must be ready to chart a path forward and demonstrate to young Americans that climate is an issue they are equipped to tackle.
Recent Gallup polls indicate that a staggering 69% of young Republicans express concerns about our environment. The political landscape is shifting as young conservatives recognize the urgency of addressing environmental challenges and push their leaders to do so. The surprising climate question at the first presidential debate provides even more evidence that this issue is paramount for an audience that Republican leaders must reach.
In just five years, Millennials and Gen Z will constitute the majority of eligible voters, and consistently, young Americans rank climate and the environment as one of their top electoral issues. Conservatives must provide an answer to them or risk electoral irrelevancy for generations to come.
ACC has cultivated a conservative environmental movement exceeding 20,000 passionate leaders who are here to stay. In the upcoming year, this movement will play an indispensable role in shaping the trajectory of the presidential race and influencing critical policy decisions.
ACC members, often defying the conventional stereotype of climate activists, are a diverse and dynamic group of young conservative environmentalists. Their passion for environmental stewardship and the fight against climate change is unwavering, but what sets them apart is their commitment to concrete action. In communities across the nation, ACC branches have spearheaded initiatives such as tree planting campaigns in local neighborhoods, cleaning up community parks, and hosting educational events. These actions reflect a genuine commitment to making a tangible difference in their surroundings.
This local action often leads to national advocacy on effective climate solutions, such as the streamlining of regulations holding back clean energy, the expansion of clean, reliable nuclear power, and the implementation of natural climate solutions. At the heart of ACC’s mission lies a belief in the power of effective, pragmatic solutions, as championed in our climate policy framework, The Climate Commitment.
ACC members aren’t seeking immediate divestment from fossil fuels or 100% clean energy. Instead, they advocate for a balanced energy mix that prioritizes affordability, abundance, and increasing cleanliness. They emphasize the importance of maintaining high environmental standards while actively managing our nation’s precious resources, rejecting federal land grabs in favor of sustainable resource management. Their approach seeks to protect both the wellbeing of the people and the health of our planet.
By embracing pragmatic solutions that reflect the values of young conservatives, Republican candidates have the chance to unite and mobilize a powerful force.
This is all to say that ACC members—young conservative environmentalists—are inspired not by candidates who just talk the talk, but candidates who support an actionable, optimistic path forward on climate change.
By embracing pragmatic solutions that reflect the values of young conservatives, Republican candidates have the chance to unite and mobilize a powerful force. The young, right-leaning Americans who are deeply concerned about climate change are not asking for fantastical utopias but rather a sensible, balanced approach that safeguards our environment without jeopardizing economic stability. In doing so, candidates can demonstrate their commitment to leaving a positive climate legacy while securing the support of a crucial demographic. And ignoring us is unsustainable—both for Republican electoral success and for the planet.
As the presidential hopefuls prepare to take the debate stage once more, they must not lose sight of the lessons learned during the last debate. Climate and energy issues are not fleeting concerns; they are enduring challenges that will shape the future of our nation and world. Effective engagement with these issues will be instrumental in activating a demographic that could decisively influence the outcome of the general election.
We can’t afford inaction, and we can’t have one foot out the door. Rising to our climate challenge requires everyone, conservative and liberal. To address climate change, the presidential candidates must navigate the complexities of energy policy, economic implications, and the balance between environmental stewardship and job creation. However, within these challenges lie immense opportunities—a chance to choose the side of the party’s young base, a chance to choose the side of our planet.
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I’m a Young Conservative Concerned About Climate Change
