This week I finished: The Conservative Mind: From Burke to Elliot, by Russel Kirk: I learned of this book from the Conservatism 101 course I wrote about in last week’s selective media post. I read the book partly to learn, partly to see what of conservative values, history, and philosophy might resonate with sustainability. It turns out plenty. I read some online but mostly listened to twenty hours of its[…] Keep reading →

This week I read and watched: The Conservative as Environmentalist: From Goldwater and the Early Reagan to the 21st Century, by Daniel A. Farber: Farber is a professor of law and Director of the Environmental Law Program the UC Berkeley Law School. He published the document in 2017. It’s fascinating, covering support for environmental protections, ideology, and cases of bold activism from I was glad to see one podcast guest[…] Keep reading →

I grew up learning that American culture meant can-do. That we took on challenges as a nation and as individuals. When the going got tough, the tough got going. The bigger they come the harder they fall. Now we face a challenge: our lifestyles are lowering Earth’s ability to sustain life, already killing tens of millions a year, projected more. Anyone can tell that we as a nation and every[…] Keep reading →

Longtime readers know my inclination to speak to people with different views, not disconnect. Rob and Andrew host After Dark on the conservative America Out Loud network and we connect on communicating more, not less. They’ve been guests on my podcast and I’ve been a guest on their show. We agree on various issues and disagree on others and have become friends. Rob lives in New York City. He and[…] Keep reading →

Does anyone else see the trend? Compassionate conservative Clean coal Green growth Moral majority Free market Take your biggest criticism and put the reverse in front. Without changing anything about yourself, you make yourself impervious to criticism. Only one thing: coal isn’t clean and growth isn’t green, no matter how much anyone says they are. Liberals and other groups might use the technique. I haven’t noticed. If you know of[…] Keep reading →

I met Nate on Citizens Climate Lobby panel on conservatives and climate, then read his National Review piece, Toward a Conservative Environmentalism, which we talk about in this conversation. I’ve looked forward to a conversation like this for a long time: a thoughtful approach to the environment that isn’t politicized. Nate doesn’t hide his values and approach, but understands and respects alternative views. He shares views on questions like How[…] Keep reading →

I met Nate on Citizens Climate Lobby panel on conservatives and climate, then read his National Review piece, Toward a Conservative Environmentalism, which we talk about in this conversation. I’ve looked forward to a conversation like this for a long time: a thoughtful approach to the environment that isn’t politicized. Nate doesn’t hide his values and approach, but understands and respects alternative views. He shares views on questions like How[…] Keep reading →