Newt Gingrich deserves praise for his open mindedness on climate change, global cooling/warming or whatever name the left is giving the threat these days. I think Newt understands that his advocacy is in keeping with ideas championed by conservatives like Russell Kirk, G.K. Chesterton, and Hilaire Belloc.

Newt received some static from the right about his outspokenness and responded on his site:

Many of you have written to me to ask why I recently taped an advertisement with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for The Alliance for Climate Protection, a group founded by former Vice President Al Gore.

I completely understand why many of you would have questions about this, so I want to take this opportunity to explain my reasons. First of all, I want to be clear: I don't think that we have conclusive proof of global warming. And I don't think we have conclusive proof that humans are at the center of it.

But here's what we do know. There is an important debate going on right now over the right energy policy, the right environmental policy, and making sure we do the right things for our future and the future of our children and grandchildren. Conservatives are missing from this debate, and I think that's a mistake. When it comes to preserving our environment for future generations, we can't have a slogan of "Just yell no!"

But beyond being at the table for this debate, conservatives should be wrestling this issue from liberals before, as this article warns, it's used to advance completely unrelated issues like domestic partnerships and multicultural competence (what does that even mean).

There's no doubt the environment is an issue championed by liberals primarily as an opportunity to extend the size and scope of government. Conservatives need to provide the public with alternatives that promote conservation (environmental stewardship) without legions of bureaucrats, thousands of new laws and burdensome taxes.

I'm waiting for the first hybrid candidate. A conservative driving a SMART car with an "I ♥ Adam Smith" bumper sticker who can remind voters that conservation is part of our canon and that environmental stewardship flourishes in a society that promotes private property, free enterprises, and individual rights.

Labels: global warming