About
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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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
**********
Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today at patreon.com/ClimateOne.
Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices