- Senator Bill Frist is a surgeon who performs heart and lung transplants, was formerly a U.S. Senate Majority Leader and was vice chair of The Nature Conservancy’s global board.
- Benji Backer is the founder and president of the American Conservation Coalition.
The Volunteer State presents a new opportunity for us to revive our love of our natural environment.
Tennesseans believe that the state’s natural wonders are intertwined with their culture, their homes, and their way of living. We all have a responsibility to ensure that they are protected.
It is high time that we took action, from the Smoky Mountain to the Mississippi River to protect our state’s natural beauty and resources.
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Changes in the climate put us all at risk
The words “climate change” can trigger polarizing reactions in Tennessee. Some people see it as a rallying cry to save our planet. Others see it as excessive alarmism that causes them to completely tune out of the conversation.
The climate is changing, despite the semantics. This change is having an impact on our daily lives, and it has the potential to cause irreversible damage to natural resources and environmental destruction.
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Our Volunteer State is blessed by fertile farmland, majestic mountain ranges, extensive freshwater system, and the natural beauty of the Volunteer State. The most visited national park in America.
Tennessee is home to many people who love the land and water. All of these are at risk from a changing climate. Thankfully, however, our state has a strong and deeply-rooted conservation ethos.
Conservatives are known for their commitment to protecting our natural resources.
Tennessee’s conservative leadership was key to the passage of many of our country’s environmental policies.
Howard Baker, a former senator from Tennessee and Senate Majority Leader, was instrumental in the management of this landmark. Clean Air Act of 1970The bill was passed by Senator Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee senator 50 years later. Great American Outdoors ActOur national parks and federal lands were funded by the, It is time to build on their legacy.
We have seen a remarkable shift in Washington, D.C., towards conservative climate solutions. Since the formation of the Conservative Climate CaucusTo the energy, climate, and Conservation task forceIt’s not surprising to hear that Republicans are working aggressively on environmental issues in the House of Representatives.
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We hope to bring this momentum to Tennessee and encourage new environmental engagement. We need to have fresh conversations across the state about the changing climate and its impact on Tennesseans. We should not let our political affiliations stop us from seeking and conserving clean water and clean air as well as plentiful food resources.
Young people will lead our nation to better solutions
We are both conservatives, one a lung surgeon and former U.S. Senate Minority Leader, the other a lifelong Republican activist and founder of a conservative environmental group. We both know that our movement hasn’t been as involved in this fight as it should.
Instead of offering alternative solutions, conservatives have been too focused on opposing top-down climate alarmism and progressive plans. This is inadequat.
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We have much to offer as a state. As such, we must lead the way towards common-sense, science based, actionable solutions to the environmental problems Tennessee faces.
The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the PartiesClimate change was a topic that was brought up in Glasgow. Climate change is a global problem, but it is also a community issue that must be addressed. Each of us have a part to play. Each of us has a role.
This is why we teamed up with the goal of sharing this message with young Tennesseans at college campus all over the state.
After all, the future is in the hands of young people. Volunteer Venture, a youth-oriented initiative, has been launched to provide opportunities for young people to get involved in conservation work and advocate for solutions that improve Tennessee’s economy, environment, and health.
Instead of trying to score political points, our goal is to engage and energize our Tennessee communities so that they can take pride in the preservation of Tennessee’s natural resources and beauty, while also keeping Tennessee values in their minds. We invite you to read more and join our group. Volunteer Venture initiative.
Senator Bill Frist is a surgeon who specializes in heart and lung transplants, and was formerly the U.S. Senate Majority leader. He also served as vice chair of the global board. The Nature Conservancy. Benji Backer is the founder and president of the American Conservation Coalition (ACC)..
