IndyStar Op-Ed: "We Know It’s Not Easy, But the US Must Find Bipartisan Paths on Climate.”

"We Know It’s Not Easy, But the US Must Find Bipartisan Paths on Climate.”

By Christopher Bove (Chair, Rhode Island College Democrats) and Makenzie Binford (Chair, Indiana Federation of College Republicans)

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Two leaders of the youth wings of the Democratic and Republican parties are out with a new op-ed in the IndyStar calling for bipartisanship on climate — including support for carbon border adjustments and carbon pricing.

As Christopher Bove and Makenzie Binford, respectively the chairs of the Rhode Island College Democrats and the Indiana Federation of College Republicans, write:

"We are young leaders representing opposing political parties. In the recent midterm elections, we were fighting in opposite trenches to turn out the vote for our respective candidates. However, now that the political dust has settled and divided government has begun, we know our parties must come together and put our country’s interests first.

As we see it, this must include climate change. Climate instability is worsening, and Americans are facing escalating costs from extreme storms and other climate damages. Our generation — which turned out in force in the recent election — will face the brunt of the impacts, which is why young voters consistently rank climate as a top voting issue.”

As they continue:

“Especially as our generation continues to vote and prioritize climate action, the mandate to lead on this issue will only strengthen. We can, and must, put aside our differences and ensure a timely response to one of the great challenges of our time.”

To our knowledge, it is the first time that senior leaders of the College Democrats and College Republicans have joined forces on a joint op-ed in support of climate action, and it’s 2023. This underscores how much untapped potential there is to make climate a greater bipartisan priority. 

Read the full op-ed here.