Biden’s climate stance ‘has to be clarified’ in first 100 days: American Conservation Coalition COO

Yahoo Finance’s Alexis Christoforous and Danielle Butcher, Chief Operating Officer of the American Conservation Coalition, discuss climate policy outlook under a Biden administration.

Video Transcript

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: The first 100 days of the Biden administration are likely to see a flurry of executive actions addressing climate change. We know that Joe Biden has promised to spend $2 trillion over four years to draw down planet warming fossil fuel emissions and convert much of the nation to clean energy. Here to talk about it now is Danielle Butcher, chief operating officer of the American Conservation Coalition.

Danielle, it's good to see you here. I've actually interviewed folks from your organization before. It's a nonprofit, a group of young conservatives who were out touting the climate. What were your thoughts or your group's thoughts when you saw Biden become President-elect in terms of what it's going to mean for climate change?

DANIELLE BUTCHER: Well, first of all, thank you for having me, Alexis. In terms of what a Biden administration may mean, I think during the campaign, Biden was very careful to walk a line between bringing along the progressive wing of his party, but also appealing to moderates.

And so I think there was a little bit of confusion, especially regarding what type of action he would be taking on climate change. So I think within the first 100 days, that stance needs to be clarified. And I'd love to see a more clear vision, and not just presidential mandates, but working together with Republicans and with Democrats alike.

Because I think what we saw is that they were expecting the sort of progressive blue wave throughout the election, and that's very much not what happened. Of course, it's still contested. President Trump hasn't conceded yet. And so because it's been so close, I think that we need to come together as much as we can and try to unify behind a plan that works for everyone.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: What specifically would you like to see Biden do perhaps by executive order in his first 100 days? We know that he talked a lot about the Green New Deal. Do you want to see him go in that direction?

DANIELLE BUTCHER: I think what we need to be looking at are solutions that can work hand-in-hand with the market. The Green New Deal is not popular. And it does not work with the market. And so what I think we would like to see is Biden's administration focusing on energy innovation, 21st century infrastructure, building that green economy, global engagement, and natural solutions. And I think if we tackle all of those things, we can have both market success and environmental success at the same time.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: When you look-- I mean, climate is sort of this big umbrella topic, right? But when you drill down, what areas within environmental protection do you think stand to benefit the most from a Biden administration? Is it companies that deal with solar? You know, to your mind, who might be the winners?

DANIELLE BUTCHER: Well, I think that the biggest thing to think about when you're talking about climate change is reducing emissions. That needs to be the goal for basically all policy or all mandates. And so I would like to see incentivizing that reduction of emissions, rather than punishing companies who are emitting-- and I'd also like to see us leading the way and showing other countries how they can incentivize as well.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: You know, we know that Gen Z voters turned out for Joe Biden. Conservatives have some ground to make up in that area. What does the Republican Party need to do to sort of capture and embrace the younger voters when it comes to climate change, an issue that they have said, time and time again, is their number one issue?

DANIELLE BUTCHER: Yeah, I mean, it's not a surprise that young people went for Biden during this election. Because we've said time and time again, and poll after poll shows, that climate change is a top issue for us. So I think that sends a very clear message to Republicans that they need to catch up on this issue and that they need to prioritize it. The days of climate denial are long gone, and it's time for us to start talking about a solution.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: What kind of grade would you give Republicans when it comes to initiatives for climate change? I mean, and for a moment here, maybe we separate the federal government from state and local governments. Because there are a lot of Republican governors out there who have taken some real steps in that area, areas where perhaps the federal government is not.

DANIELLE BUTCHER: Yeah, I think there are a lot of Republicans who aren't receiving the credit that they deserve for their work on climate change and environmental solutions. So there are a lot of unsung heroes. But as a whole, the party doesn't have a clear plan, and they need to come together and put one on the table. I know that pre-COVID, Leader McCarthy had a climate package that was being introduced. And so I'd like to pick up that conversation again.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: If you had three minutes alone with Joe Biden right now, what would you tell him, Danielle?

DANIELLE BUTCHER: I would tell him that we need to focus on solutions that bring people together. We need to be focusing on solutions that can spur our economy and build a new green economy. So again, that's energy innovation, 21st century infrastructure, global engagement, and of course, natural solutions.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: Yeah, infrastructure. We talked a lot about that over the past few years, but never really saw a comprehensive bill. All right, Danielle Butcher, chief operating officer at the American Conservation Coalition. Thanks for being with us.

DANIELLE BUTCHER: Thanks, Alexis.