41 college Republican groups sign on to the green conservative movement

Led by the American Conservation Coalition (ACC), a millennial-founded and driven group which empowers conservatives to re-engage on environmental conversations, 41 state college Republican chairmen signed a letter encouraging conservative action on clean energy and environmental issues.

By Chelsea Henderson
EcoRight News

“A conservative approach to renewable energy, land conservation, sportsmen’s rights, and our agricultural system will allow America to expand its position as a global energy leader, while embracing the values of stewardship that date back more than a century to President Theodore Roosevelt,” the letter reads. “As leaders, both on campus and in our states, we firmly believe that environmental stewardship is important, deserves our attention, and should employ a market-centric solution.”

According to Pew Research Center survey: 38 percent of Gen Z Republicans (age 13-21) said they believe climate change is caused by human activity, compared to less than a third of Millennial Republicans.

States which signed the letter include Florida, Texas, and Ohio. According to ACC communications director Bethany Bowra, while the letter doesn’t specifically address climate change, “As conservatives, we believe innovation, clean energy and free-market policies are the answers to climate-related issues.”

Here’s the full text:

As College Republicans, we recognize that Millennial voters are a crucial voting bloc for conservatives. In order to ensure that conservative values are not lost on the next generation, it is imperative that we
continue to apply the long-standing ideas of free markets, individual liberty, and conservation in bold new ways.

As leaders, both on campus and in our states, we firmly believe that environmental stewardship is  important, deserves our attention, and should employ a market-centric solution. By allowing markets to replace top-down government regulations, our communities will no longer face the burdensome, job-inhibiting, regulations of Washington, D.C. Moreover, the EPA cannot be the sole driver of environmental reform.

A conservative approach to renewable energy, land conservation, sportsmen’s rights, and our agricultural system will allow America to expand its position as a global energy leader, while embracing the values of stewardship that date back more than a century to President Theodore Roosevelt.

The Republican Party has a long history, one that spans from President Roosevelt to President Nixon to President Reagan, of being the champion of our environment.

It is time for the Republican party to embrace that legacy once more.

We are proud to support the work of the American Conservation Coalition (ACC) on college campuses nationwide. The ACC’s efforts to educate millennial voters on the benefits of conservative stewardship and free-market environmentalism represent an important new voice in the conservative movement. The ACC’s approach offers a powerful alternative to the command-and-control model that has dominated energy and environmental policy for far too long.

Caring about our environment is not a partisan issue. As state chairs for the nation’s oldest and largest youth conservative organization, we are focused on bringing young voters’ perspectives to the forefront of political discourse. We wholeheartedly call on our fellow College Republicans to support conservative
action on clean energy and environmental issues.

Furthermore, we call on individuals, business leaders, and community groups to lead the charge in their hometowns. It is our duty to ensure that our local environment is not merely protected but also thrives through limited government reforms.

Change the narrative. Stand with us.
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