re: Conservative Environmentalism

The biggest differences between environmentally concerned conservatives and progressives, as I see them from my admittedly conservative vantage point:

1. Conservatives tend to resist massive programs delegating enormous power to regulatory bodies. The recent decision from the Supreme Court trimming back EPA authority is an example of the regulatory overreach conservatives resist.

2. Conservatives are skeptical of the notion that climate change represents an existential threat to humans such that virtually any re-ordering of the economy is justified--even if performed by unelected bureaucrats--no matter the harm to our nation's economic or defense interests.

3. On energy, conservatives favor an all of the above approach, which should most certainly include nuclear power. Even some on the enviro-left are starting to accept that emissions-free nuclear power has to be part of the answer.

4. At least for many conservatives, we consider ourselves "conservationists" of outdoor spaces and resources, while also valuing the needs of humans to use those resources. At least from our perspective, the enviro-left sacralizes "the Earth" and places the protection of "the Earth" over the ability of humans to prosper.