We've seen business leaders, evangelicals, and politicians of all ilks coming out in favor of strong federal legislation on climate change. This week, they were joined by the nation's hunters and fishers.
Six hundred and seventy hunting and fishing organizations, representing 34 million American sportsmen (and women), put out a statement yesterday urging Congress to take action on global warming and calling for an 80 percent cut in emissions by 2050. "We who hunt and fish believe we have a moral responsibility to confront climate change in order to protect our outdoor heritage and our children's future," the organizations wrote in a letter to Congress. The coalition even dug up David Crockett, descendant of the original Davy Crockett, for comment:
Sportsmen want America to lead on global warming solutions. We have used cap-and-trade systems -- and American ingenuity -- successfully in the past to cut pollution. Now, similar measures will not only protect our heritage, but also bring new jobs to our cities and rural communities while bolstering a stronger economy.
The sporting demographic is both very active politically and tends to vote strongly Republican. In the 2000 presidential election, 93 percent of registered hunters voted. Forty-six percent are registered Republicans, compared to just 18 percent that are registered Democrats. In my hometown, the "Sportsmen for Bush" stickers were pretty ubiquitous in 2000 and 2004. But with both the Democratic candidates putting forward climate plans in line with what the leading hunting and fishing organizations are calling for, and the Republican candidate largely absent on the issue, might progressives find inroads with the gun- and fishing-rod wielding demographic this year?
--Kate Sheppard
