Congress must agree on climate

Washington, D.C., may be ruled over by partisanship, but it is not like the Democratic floods or Republican wildfires. While some Republican senators may make filibuster threats while some Democratic senators will only negotiate within their own party’s framework, there is a common ground outside of Congress.

We went to the United Nations climate summit COP26 in November. President BidenJoe BidenWisconsin Supreme Court permits ballot boxes to be barred for April election. On The Money: Border Blockade hits US Economy Overnight Health Care COVID-19 vaccine delayed for young children MORESign up Build Back Better legislationIt was still moving slowly, but optimistically, through Congress.

Democrats believed that Build Back Better was the best way to confront climate change. It was also the only chamber that could pass legislation. After long negotiations, Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinRubio, Manchin propose bill to prevent feds buying ‘crackpipes’ The Hill’s morning Report – Presented on Facebook – Americans struggle financially Overnight Energy & Environment Judge reinstates gray wolf protectors(D.W.Va.), stated that he would vote against the package. Democrats lost the crucial vote they needed in order to use the budget reconciliation process to get around a Republican filibuster. Today, Build Back better appears to be dead.

But, we never believed Build Back Better would be the only way to combat climate change and ensure Americans have access to the green economy. Today, we are just as optimistic as in November.

Just take a look at our faces. Robinson, one of us, is a strong conservative who leads government affairs for the right-leaning American Conservation Coalition. The other (Buendia), a liberal from the San Francisco Bay Area who led climate equity efforts for the California government, is Robertson. We are two people with very different values and yet we are here. Both are committed to working together for a better climate in the future of our country.

Our organizations have been doing this for the past two-years. While Build Back better toured Congress, we are working on a parallel track in order to find climate solutions both progressives as well as conservatives that both can support. We have held listening sessions and policy forums throughout the country with people from both political parties to find common ground on climate. We spoke to advocates, entrepreneurs and policy experts, people from rural and low-income communities, as well as people from red, blue and purple states.

We discovered a fascinating collection of solutions that are popular among both Democrats and Republicans. Diverse backgrounds come together to support resilient infrastructure, increase rooftop solar access, and natural climate solutions that preserve and sequester carbon.

Americans on both sides believe we should prioritize communities most at risk from climate and economic impacts. Many of these communities have been neglected or are in dire straits. These communities are more likely be low-income, rural, or communities of color. They also tend to pay higher utility bills, consume more contaminated water, and have dirtier air.

Progressives refer to this fight as environmental justice. Conservatives see it as an effort for the protection of the forgotten men, women, and children of this country. We are on the same page, but we have a different way to describe it.

Many progressives don’t realize how many conservatives want a better policy on climate for the country they love. It is easy to see American policy shifting back and forth between partisan ideology over the decades ahead, while our international standing plummets and our energy independence slips further. How can an entrepreneur or business plan for their investments 20 years in the future when the U.S. regulatory climate changes wildly with every election cycle? Conservatives are arguing for pro-business and pro-national security in responding to the climate crisis.

We disagree on many things, including the size of government and the level of regulation for the private sector. We don’t have to stop talking to one another. Americans have a choice. Instead of getting stuck in partisan gridlock, there are options. We can create jobs and save money, while also tackling climate change and increasing our energy independence.

This is something Americans can agree on. Let us create policies that reflect the ideas that unify us and not those that divide us.

Jessie Buendia works as the director for Green for All at Dream Corps. She is a climate equity and racial strategist.