In another political era, a Republican presence at a major gathering on world problems might be unremarkable. But it stands out in a time of deep political division, when addressing the climate crisis in the United States has been largely left to Democrats. Baker and the mayor of Oklahoma City were the only Republican politicians invited to speak. And Bakers attendance, along with liberal leaders like Governor Gavin Newsom of California, comes as moderate Republicans, now on the fringes of their party, are quietly being enlisted in or inserting themselves into the climate fight.
Bob Inglis, a former Republican US Representative from South Carolina who now tries to sell conservatives around the country on climate action, noted the rarity of this kind of creature the Republican who leads on climate change. Surely Governor Baker was one of the first to step out into the open field, he said.
Clinton, in his opening statement, noted the urgency of the moment, and the need to get past the political barriers slowing action on climate.
Ive always wanted to go beyond the harsh, polarizing name-calling that characterizes the political debate today, Clinton said. When all is said and done, if we cant answer the How question, the rest doesnt amount to much.
As Baker enters the final stretch of his final term in office, some say the list of his achievements on climate change rivals that of even states considered leaders, like New York and California. Hes signed major bills jump-starting the offshore wind industry, committing to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and, most recently, boosting the clean energy industry in the state while carrying out an ambitious program to help communities address their climate vulnerabilities.
His track-record is not without critics. Some say he delayed implementing programs to achieve the net-zero emissions mandate he signed in 2021 or that he only approved climate bills after watering them down. Critics have noted that the footprint of natural gas has only grown during his tenure, adding that Massachusetts progress happened despite Bakers leadership, not because of it.
On Monday, as he sat onstage beside fellow panelists, the achievements he touted and the case he made for addressing the climate crisis primarily, jobs and the economy spoke to traditional conservative values. It hearkened back to the Republican party that established the Environmental Protection Agency under President Nixon not the one that has more recently sought to limit the agencys reach.
Im really proud of the fact that we are, for all intents and purposes, the only state I know of that really went hard at the resiliency piece at the same time that we went hard at some of the issues around alternative energy solutions, Baker said.
During his time in office, Baker has transitioned from a candidate who, in 2010, questioned the science of climate change to a governor who, a year from now, may count his accomplishments on the issue as a cornerstone of his legacy.
Over the clatter of a plant-based lunch on Monday a small but simple action we can take to support sustainability, according to a sign Baker said that in Massachusetts, environmental issues arent partisan like they are in the rest of the country.
But, when it comes to political leadership nationally, thats not true. The federal Inflation Reduction Act, for instance the major federal climate bill that was signed earlier this year passed without a single Republican signature. Last month, 22 of the 30 Republican governors in the country panned it as a reckless tax and spending spree.
On his panel Monday, Baker called the bill an enormous incentive opportunity for all of us.
Even so, Baker and others see an opening to appeal to some ordinary conservatives, through the jobs and economic possibilities of the seismic energy transition that addressing the climate crisis will demand.
Several companies Unilever and General Motors among them spoke Monday about their sustainability commitments and the role of business and finance in helping facilitate the clean energy transition. Gary Gensler, chair of the federal Securities and Exchange Commission, joined by video conference to discuss the pending rule that would require companies to disclose their climate risks.
Hundreds of companies are making disclosures on climate risks, some of it about strategy, some of it about greenhouse gas emissions, said Gensler. The rule the SEC is considering is to ensure that theyre truthful, what in the law is called Fair Dealing.
Baker said hes hopeful that step will start a landslide of climate action that starts with business and then goes beyond. I think that has huge implications for politics, and for the urgency with respect to climate issues and I do think that will bleed pretty heavily into the Republican party in a good way.
Sabrina Shankman can be reached at sabrina.shankman@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @shankman.
Go here to see the original:
- NBC's Chuck Todd Explains Why He's Changed How He Reports On Republicans - The Daily Wire [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- 'Red State Blues' Explores What Bolsters And Tempers Republicans' Success - Texas Standard [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- In leaked audio, a top Trump adviser said the Republican party has 'traditionally' relied on voter suppression - Business Insider [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- 'A rocky road': Wisconsin Republicans recap the first year of split control under Gov. Tony Evers - Madison.com [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Iowa swung fiercely to Trump. Will it swing back in 2020? - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- In the Time of Trump, Are Republicans Crazies or Cowards? - The Daily Beast [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- How a 'legislative terrorist' conquered the Republican Party - The Week [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Republican group to run ads in target states demanding testimony from White House officials in Trump impeachment trial | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Decade in review: Justice Antonin Scalias death and the Republican delay in filling the seat - SCOTUSblog [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Republicans Are Fiscally Reckless and Irresponsible - Washington Monthly [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Fear and Loyalty: How Donald Trump Took Over the Republican Party - The New York Times [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Blumenthal: Five to 10 Republicans have 'severe misgivings' about McConnell strategy | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- House Republicans and Democratic governor feud over the Louisiana budget, again - The Advocate [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Republican governors grapple with whether to accept refugees - Press Herald [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Why Shouldnt Pelosi Try to Strong-Arm the Republicans? It Has Worked for Decades. | News and Politics - PJ Media [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Outmaneuvering the Republicans (letter) | Letters To The Editor - LancasterOnline [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Wisconsin Democrats say Republicans have made thwarting Gov. Tony Evers their priority - Madison.com [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Republicans are leaving the House at a record pace. Why? - CBS News [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- ANOTHER OPINION: Trump completes takeover of Republican Party - Goshen News [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- For evangelicals, climate change causes a split between young and old that could hurt Republicans - The Boston Globe [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Eric Hubner: Republican senators should stand up to the appeasement of Trump - Salt Lake Tribune [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Brent Budowsky: The patriotic duty of Senate Republicans | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- 'Too personally invested': Republicans demand FISA court explain why Obama official picked to oversee reforms - Washington Examiner [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Never Trumpers flame out - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republican leader who sent their child to conversion therapy says child abuse makes people gay - LGBTQ Nation [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- As Democrats resurrect carbon bill, Republicans leave all options on the table including another walkout - malheurenterprise.com [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Pen-t up anger: Republicans pounce on Pelosi over ceremonial writing tools - The Guardian [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Franklin Republican wants to make it a crime to burn symbol of liberty - The Union Leader [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republicans vote down teacher pay boost plan - The Herald [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- How Tim Kaine convinced Republicans to vote to rein in Trump's war powers - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republicans face reckoning on impeachment witnesses - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Matt Gaetz Is in an Internecine Beef With Another Florida Republican - Esquire.com [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Rand Paul on Senate trial: 'I don't think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment' - msnNOW [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- 'The New York Times' Is Enabling Republican Lies - The Nation [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Trump and Republicans are courting Florida's Latinos. Democrats in the state are worried. - NBC News [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republicans face internal brawl over impeachment witnesses | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Rand Paul threatens fellow Republicans with explosive witness votes - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- The Real Risks of Republicans Burying Their Heads in the Sand - The New York Times [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Abortion laws give Republican politicians what they crave control | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republicans will pay on Election Day for politicizing Trump's impeachment | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Nationalist 'antics' or the future of the GOP? College Republicans are at war - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- A Few Republicans And The American Public: Democrats Target Their Impeachment Message - NPR [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Senate Republicans Are Bathed in Shame - The New York Times [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- There Were No 'Moderate Republicans' in the Senate on Tuesday. Only Collaborators. - Esquire [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- The Values We Share (or Why I Am A Republican) - The Bulwark [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Republicans are schooling us in the definition of 'chutzpah' - Cape Cod Times [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Grieder: Dan Crenshaw is right to say that Republicans cant afford to ignore climate change - Houston Chronicle [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- This Former Co-Host of 'The View' Says She Was Told To 'Act Republican' - Showbiz Cheat Sheet [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Sorry, But Democrats Have to Compromise and Republicans Don't - Mother Jones [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Flake: Republicans don't speak out against Trump 'because they want to keep their jobs' | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Republicans upping investment in Florida and other key battlegrounds - Florida Politics [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- No Republican in Congress Is Thinking Past Tomorrow's Lunch Menu - Esquire [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- DCCC to run ads tying 11 House Republicans to Trump remarks on entitlements | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- How Republicans made millions on the 2017 tax cuts they pushed through Congress - Vox.com [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Republican Senators May Save Trump, but Trump has Already F*cked Them - The Daily Beast [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Why Democrats Still Have to Appeal to the Center, but Republicans Dont - The New York Times [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Why Hillary Clinton is the world's greatest gift to Republicans - New York Post [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Buttigieg on plan to win over Republicans: 'I'm not trying to trick anybody' - Washington Examiner [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Readers respond: Republicans must do the right thing - oregonlive.com [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Commentary: Note To Republicans- When You Are Innocent, Witnesses And Documents Should Be Welcomed - KRWG [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Equality Should Not Be A Partisan Issue: Where Do Key Republicans Stand On It? - InsiderNJ [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Republican senate candidates disagree about whether a border wall is the solution to illegal immigration - Chicago Daily Herald [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Kobe Bryant: Reaction to his tragic death; career highlights - Waterbury Republican American [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Democrats step up pressure over witnesses after Bolton bombshell | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Republicans grew our economy - and in the process, turned Arizona purple - AZCentral [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Senate Republicans have final chance to stand for country - The Daily Herald [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Managing an unruly world far and near: Q&A with Republican congressional candidate Todd Kent - Waco Tribune-Herald [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- After Trumps Acquittal, It Will Only Get Worse for Republicans - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Senate Republicans push back on calls for more impeachment witnesses - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Trump Boasts That Republican Lawmakers Have Turned Him Into A King - PoliticusUSA [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Meet the Candidate She's aiming to be the next Republican Jewish woman in Congress - Jewish Insider [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- 'What Have We Become?' New Republican Video Rips Trump Revenge On Lt. Col. Vindman - HuffPost [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Why Democrats And Republicans May Make The Best Teammates At Work - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Anderson: Why the Democrats - and Republicans - are doomed - The Ledger [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Democrats and Republicans agree on this: Social Security and Medicare need help and soon - MarketWatch [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Trump struggles to win over Republicans on immigration - POLITICO [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- The Democratic Party Is Collapsing. Just Like the Republican Party Did. - The Bulwark [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Republicans Think President Trump Had Every Right To Fire Government Officials Who Testified Against Him - BuzzFeed News [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- With Republicans, the best is yet to come - Youngstown Vindicator [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Washington-Based Republican Partnership Supports Non-Sitting Candidate In Iowa Race For First Time - 1380 KCIM [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]