In a moment when nearly everything feels polarized, Benji Backer is trying to carve out a different path, one where caring about the natural world isn’t a partisan issue. As the founder of Nature Is Nonpartisan, he’s bringing together voices from across the political spectrum who might disagree on climate policy, but still share a desire to preserve public lands, wildlife, and the outdoors.
Can conservation still serve as common ground in a divided country? What does it take to make environmentalism resonate beyond traditional audiences? Is a bipartisan movement possible in today’s political climate?
Guests:
Benji Backer, Founder and CEO, Nature is Nonpartisan
Skyler Zunk, Founder and CEO, Energy Right
For show notes, transcript, and related links, visit ClimateOne.org/podcasts.
Highlights:
00:00 – Intro
03:30 – Benji Backer on his relationship with nature
05:54 – Benji Backer on how Nature is Nonpartisan came to be
09:29 – Benji Backer on making conservation culturally relevant
16:44 – Benji Backer on the hard work of moving policy forward
21:19 – Benji Backer on why political leanings are labeled on staff page
24:16 – Benji Backer on bringing more people into the tent
31:45 – Benji Backer on where there is bipartisan support
34:30 – Benji Backer on where his work has had the most impact
39:23 – Skyler Zunk on his time working for the first Trump administration
44:31 – Skyler Zunk on a farmer who has solar panels on the sheep farm
49:26 – Skyler Zunk on the importance of being able to relate to locals
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