As a general rule of thumb, if the only reason you would identify somebody as a conservative is because they repeatedly insist they are a conservative, they likely are not a conservative. Readers should keep this general rule in mind if they read self-proclaimed conservative climate activist Benji Backer’s new book The Conservative Environmentalist: Common Sense Solutions for a Sustainable Future.
Backer has created a niche for himself claiming conservative politicians can and must embrace climate activism as a way to hold true to conservative principles and win over young voters. His message runs along the line of, Hey, conservatives, I am one of you. You can trust me that climate activism is truly a conservative issue.
Most conservatives, however, would not recognize Backer’s words and actions as those of a conservative. Prior to writing his book, Backer:
- Proudly described himself as “NeverTrump” and preferred Hillary Clinton to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election;
- Slammed Trump’s restrictions on immigrants from terrorist-tied nations as anti-Muslim;
- Approvingly retweeted a statement that supported banning Trump from social media;
- Called for the reinstatement of FDR New Deal policies such as the Civilian Conservation Corps;
- Advocated government taking control of 30 percent of America’s land for environmental purposes;
- Claimed conservative Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) “encouraged” the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill, even as Johnson took to social media encouraging people to disperse;
- Made vitriolic attacks on conservative leaders Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO);
- Called Donald Trump “despicable and indefensible;”
- Asserted policymakers who do not support mass COVID-19 vaccinations “has to be one of the lowest possible lows;”
- Criticized people who did not want to wear face masks as “stupid” and not protecting others “because they want to make a political statement.”
- Literally said “thank you” to Greta Thunberg for playing “a critical role in generating worldwide awareness around this issue of climate change.”
Are these the words and actions of a conservative? Are these the words and actions of a person conservatives should trust to guide them on policy issues?
While Backer goes out of his way to venomously slam conservatives Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Ron Johnson, and Josh Hawley, he simultaneously elicits fawning praise from the political Left. Van Jones, the far-Left CNN pundit who served as Barack Obama’s Special Advisor for Green Jobs, praises Backer’s book as “a critical blueprint for the future of climate action.”
JTaylor@heartland.org) is president of The Heartland Institute.
Image: Penguin Books
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