Young NC Libertarian: Get out of your ideological bubble on Earth Day and take a hike

Earth Day and Arbor Day are often associated with left-wing environmentalists, but this year North Carolina climate activists are crossing the political aisle.

Bipartisan efforts, big and small, can make a big difference in protecting our environment. The American Conservation Coalition and Citizens’ Climate Lobby hosted a hike in mid-March on the White Oak Creek Greenway followed by a conversation on how we can protect this state’s trees and green spaces. The conversation centered on things we could agree on, like planting native trees and plants, initiating clean ups, and focusing efforts at the community level.

We even waded into slightly more contentious territory on how local policymakers are approaching climate action through local solar panel initiatives. The conversation brought together North Carolinians from across the political spectrum, each with their own concerns and priorities, but we could all come to the table for protecting our environment.

While walking on the greenway, surrounded by the natural environment — trees, grasses, wildlife — and the very human elements, like the greenway itself, it was difficult to let any of our individual political perspectives get in the way. We were all enmeshed in a relaxing natural environment and, whatever our differences, forced to discuss complex political issues in a more cordial, respectful way than often happens online.

We saw firsthand how small, local changes could make an impact on our environment, like the preservation of green spaces, construction of outdoor recreation and greenways, and the trees planted along the trail.

The White Oak Greenway near Apex was a perfect example of how greenway construction could benefit humans and the environment. Its construction ensures a certain amount of conservation in and around the greenway, especially to protect the trees that make the greenway as pleasant as it is. However, the greenway is also a source of recreation for the community and a means to keep the residential neighborhood connected to local parks.

In many ways, the greenway encapsulated everything that makes good environmental stewardship — the integration of human needs and environmental needs. Not pitting the two against each other, but working in harmony. It’s the type of environmental action that anyone could support.

Our conversation and hike was the polar opposite of much of the national conversation on environmentalism. The issue has often been a political volleyball, with partisans accusing their political opponents of ill intent.

Some have accused the Republican Party of being the “most dangerous organization on Earth” for its positions on climate change, while some on the right have suggested that any climate action amounts to totalitarianism. Despite this heightened rhetoric, there are plenty of opportunities for bipartisan work on the environment.

At the national level, issues like permitting reform, nuclear energy, energy independence, carbon markets for farmers and sensible wildlife conservation are starting to find broad, bipartisan support. In North Carolina, new clean energy provisions have found bipartisan support, despite pressures from the most extreme parts of the environmental movement. We’ve also seen broad interest in developing critical minerals for electric vehicles.

Even when we can’t agree on policy, we can at least all come to the table to plant trees, an effective tool for sequestering carbon and improving our own communities.

This spring, between Earth Day (April 22) and national Arbor Day (April 28), is an important time for all environmentalists to reflect on how we can be effective going forward. My hike with American Conservation Coalition and Citizens’ Climate Lobby has made me even more certain that bipartisan action is both possible and necessary to combat climate change.

So, rather than stick to your ideological bubbles, invite a conservative friend or family member to an Earth Day tree planting event, or maybe, if you’re like me, reach out to some liberal friends and go for a hike.

You might discover some shared passions and invent new ways to address environmental problems.