Keystone Today

Pennsylvanians know that our environment and economy can prosper together, rather than be at odds. By joining the newly-formed Conservative Climate Caucus, my congressman, Representative Glenn Thompson, has exemplified this ideal.

The Conservative Climate Caucus, led by Utah Congressman John Curtis, is another step toward meaningful Republican action on climate change. While environmental conversations are politically fraught, conservatives have a deep-rooted legacy of environmental stewardship. Teddy Roosevelt is the father of our national parks, Richard Nixon created the EPA, and George H.W. Bush signed critical amendments to the Clean Air Act. Even recently, the Great American Outdoors Act and Energy Act of 2020 were championed by climate-minded Republicans. This caucus is further proof that Republicans are returning to their conservation roots.

As a young conservative, I’m grateful for not only the formation of this caucus, but the actions of its members up to this point. In the last 5 years, Republicans have reclaimed environmental issues, including climate change, as an issue they are ready to tackle. By championing clean energy solutions including nuclear power, emissions-reducing technologies, natural climate solutions, and conservation efforts, Republicans have had an integral role in pushing the needle forward on environmental progress.

Importantly, conservative principles, such as capitalism and the free market, are the principles that will be most effective in solving our environmental challenges. It’s a false choice to say economic and environmental progress are mutually-exclusive, and conservatives are leading the way on economically-sound solutions. It’s imperative that we have their voices in the climate change conversation.

Representative Thompson has worked on these issues as the ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee. As a representative of rural western Pennsylvania and Eagle Scout, Thompson understands the unique challenges that rural, agricultural communities face when it comes to environmental issues. Pennsylvania still relies heavily on fossil fuel production both for energy and its economy, and Rep. Thompson knows the importance of balancing environmental concerns with this reality. In his leadership position on the Agriculture Committee, Rep. Thompson has been a champion for natural climate solutions and aims to empower underestimated stakeholders, such as agricultural workers, in the climate change fight.

Now with the coal industry shrinking in the state, it is clear that rural Pennsylvania needs another industry to fall back on, and that future can be seen through common-sense environmental reform. Pennsylvania has been at the forefront of innovation for our country in the twentieth century through steel production and manufacturing. It is time to bring Pennsylvania back to that position in the twenty-first century by using and cherishing the resources we have for the greater good of the state, and future generations to come.

This new caucus proves once again that while Republicans do not embrace progressive environmental solutions, they care deeply about the future of our planet. As conservatives, we know that we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work on this issue, and the Conservative Climate Caucus now proudly demonstrates that to the larger public. It’s no longer a binary choice between alarmism and denial. There’s a path forward for pragmatic, common-sense solutions to the challenges we all face.

Andrew Handley is an intern with the American Conservation Coalition field team. He is a senior at Chatham University, and his family originates from Venango County, Pennsylvania.