Political Views on Sustainability

The political sphere is of the most combative of places to explore, yet offers distinctive insight into the world. More importantly, the political spectrum represents the many different viewpoints that fill the Earth and more often than not end up combating each other. For those involved in environmental dialogues, there are truly two different approaches in regards to American perspectives as to how to best protect the natural resources that surround us. This conversation must start in a more broad light though for full comprehension. The two primary political parties of the US are Democrat and Republican.

The Democrats are most notably associated with being liberal, progressive, and focused on collaborative societal momentum. The ideals of Democrats are spread and perpetuated through densely populated areas such as cities and metropolitans. Democratic ideals thrive in these spaces due to the ability to have more societal practices that work to assist all in the most effective manner possible. As such, environmental movements started and continued by more democratic minded individuals will focus on collaboration and protection of the resources through systematic approaches. President Biden’s “30 by 30” initiative would be a good representation of these sorts of actions. The law works to specifically distinguish thirty percent of water and land for environmental conservation by the year 2030. This plan creates quantifiable amounts of environmental resources which are protected from all persons.

Republicans on the other hand are most often associated with being conservative, traditional, and focused on independence. Most typically, Republicans are associated with rural life, this is driven by their desire for independence, in this instance- private property. This preference ties into many aspects of their lives including their approach to environmental protection. Republicans view the environment as a piece of land. This perception leads to those outside of the party to interpret actions as selfish and self-serving, however, they inherently protect their land. As such, Republicans desire land and environmental resources to remain within private property so that those who have tended to the land for this long may continue to do so. Although, some people argue the seeming lack of environmental care from the Republican party is more attributed to them being surrounded by nature and thus not perceiving the problem as a whole.

Ironically though, it is through metropolitan commercialization that most threatens the environment by perpetuating consumerism and maximalism. These habits fuel environmental destruction in order to fuel the industrial flame. In contrast, individual overconsumption of environmental resources on private property can be just as harmful as users are unable to see the total impact on the environment. Either way, the Democratic and Republican stances on environmental protection address the issues they most notably see and are faced with. Democrats see less and less lands being enjoyed just as natural recreational areas or habitat sanctuaries, whereas Republicans see the environment being destroyed by corporate greed.

While seeing eye-to-eye with the “opponent” may be near impossible at times, perhaps we can all learn to take at least a step back. We may all be able to achieve our wildest goals when they approach with a calm, rational mindset, focused on conversing with everyone around them, not only those who agree with them.