I came across an interesting chat transcript on Slate.com with Newt Gingrich about a conservative approach to solving environmental problems. Here are a couple of additional links to web pages that Gingrich has set up:
A website about his book:
A Contract with the Earth
Now, I am not really a big fan of Newt Gingrich in general but he made some very interesting points.
First, I like the idea of trying to find values and issues that a large majority of Americans agree on. In principle (although not in detail) this is very similar to the concept that Barack Obama is espousing. I am somewhat skeptical that all of the points they have in the Platform for the American People (see www.americansolutions.com) really have the degree of support that he says they do, but I don’t want to quibble over details at this point. It is at very least an interesting statemen of values.
Second, I really like his statement that he thinks that there is a need to develop conservative solutions to environmental problems. He is right that there could be very fruitful dialog about the best approaches to solving environmental problems. The conservative approach to the environment does not have to be, and I would argue, should not be, to ignore or deny the potential consequeces of human alterations of the physical environment and natural ecosystems. On the other hand, the traditional environmentalist approach is not the only, or even the best approach to solving environmental problems.
I am impressed that he would be in a commercial with Nancy Pelosi that was orchestrated by Al Gore. His explanation of why he did this (on the Contract with the Earth web page) is quite interesting.
Personally, I think that incentives to produce technological solutions (as Gingrich recommends) would be helpful but need to be combined with more traditional efforts (including some degree of regulation, energy and resource conservation efforts, etc.). But this is a debate that doesn’t seem to even be occuring. If Mr. Gingrich can help bring conservatives to the table to discuss solutions to environmental issues then I applaud his efforts. I look forward to reading his book and hearing his ideas. While I disagree with some of the details of what he says, I think this is a discussion worth having and expect to learn some things.
