Mike Huckabee is teaching children the wrong lesson about climate change
Katie Mehnert and Danielle Butcher Franz
Video Embed
A prominent former governor has ventured into the realm of children’s literature with a line of books centered on American history, social issues, and other hot-button topics. With nearly 2 million followers on Twitter, a TV program, and a podcast, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee knows how to wield influence.
One such book, The Kid’s Guide to the Truth About Climate Change, may acknowledge that we’re experiencing changes to our climate, but it actively minimizes what humans’ impact on these changes is. The book seems to adhere closely to a particular political perspective and encourages young readers to approach the issue with skepticism toward their teachers and others, accusing them of having hidden agendas.
DON’T MOVE BACKWARD ON FREE SPEECH
This messaging, of course, is not new in the Republican Party, but it is tiresome. Former President Donald Trump infamously asserted that climate change is a Chinese hoax. Even more recently, House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-PA) accused U.S. climate envoy John Kerry of acknowledging climate change purely as a “grift.”
Instead of reaffirming a defensive stance aimed at minimizing the issue of climate change, Republicans have a unique opportunity to take an offensive approach and present their vision for effectively addressing this global challenge. Tackling the challenge head-on would open the doors to meeting the genuine concerns of young people, allowing Republicans to engage youth with innovative solutions.
By highlighting the values of innovation, competition, and free markets, conservatives can craft a compelling narrative that resonates with younger generations, showcasing how climate action can drive economic growth, produce jobs, and create new opportunities. Rather than shying away from the issue, they can actively seize the moment to shape a sustainable future and foster a sense of shared responsibility in safeguarding the environment.
These destructive comments have become the exception, not the rule, thanks to initiatives such as the Conservative Climate Caucus and a robust ecosystem of conservative environmental advocacy groups. Yet, climate skeptics continue to make headlines and perpetuate the idea that no elected Republicans take the issue of climate change seriously. We know that most Republicans across the country want to see commonsense action on emissions reductions, but a quick skim of the day’s headlines would lead you to believe anything but.
The party has a choice: win over young voters and independents or appeal to an amorphous conservative “base” by amplifying climate change skepticism. Harping on “indoctrinated youth” might raise some money, but it’s alienating entire generations who would otherwise be open to hearing a conservative vision on environmental protection and climate action.
After November’s midterm elections, young voters preferred a candidate who supported immediate action on climate by a factor of 4 to 1. For young Republicans, this ratio was 2 to 1. Just last week, Voters of Tomorrow held a conference in Washington, D.C., during which climate change was indisputably attendees’ No. 1 issue.
With all of this in mind, it is short-sighted of Republican thought leaders and candidates to waste time on climate skepticism rather than debating real solutions. Instead, we must build upon the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, Ulysses S. Grant, George H.W. Bush, and Ronald Reagan by demonstrating a clear willingness to better our natural environment. The focus should be on robust policymaking to achieve cleaner air, cleaner water, and less pollution, not on fiery culture wars that achieve little for either people or the planet.
As conservatives, we can acknowledge our changing climate without embracing progressive solutions. We owe it to future generations to project a clear and inspiring vision for a cleaner, more prosperous planet. We owe it to future generations to say what we’re for, not just what we are against. Right now, we’re sending confusing mixed signals, making it no surprise that young voters overwhelmingly voted blue in 2020 and even more so in 2022.
We have an opportunity to avoid making the same mistakes again, with more than a year until the 2024 general election. A significant number of Republicans have come to the table when it comes to climate, but young people will never know that if we continue to allow the loud, misguided voices to take up all the oxygen.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Katie Mehnert is the founder and CEO of ALLY Energy and serves on the National Petroleum Council. Danielle Butcher Franz is the executive vice president at the American Conservation Coalition.