By Michael J. Martelo
Contributing Writer
As a former member of the Rutgers College Republicans, David Rothbard, the president of the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow - a conservative environmental group - said he believes the environment is a relevant discussion topic for right-wing politics.
"The environment is a big issue these days that should not be overlooked by conservatives," he said.
The College Republicans hosted Rothbard as a guest speaker Wednesday night at the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus.
He gave a presentation of conservative policies that offer possible solutions to environmental problems.
In his presentation, Rothbard argued that financial resources would be better spent on trying to solve poverty issues throughout the world instead of placing caps on emissions that he said would do little to prevent climate change.
The Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow advocates nuclear power and genetically engineered crops - technology the committee said it believes is well tested - to begin remedying some of the world's financial and environmental problems.
"The more liberal environmental groups have the passion, but our ideas work," Rothbard said. "We must look to practical market solutions to solve contemporary problems."
Rothbard also described his extensive travels to Africa and other impoverished regions, and showed a slideshow of a village he had visited in Uganda.
"When people are trapped in poverty they have no time to worry about environmental issues," Rothbard said while displaying photos of malnourished African children. "Their primary concern is putting food on the plate."
The Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow provides an alternative voice on environmental issues and is critical of tactics other organizations with similar interests use. Commenting on more liberal environmental groups, Rothbard noted, "Trying to convince everyone that we're going to die and appealing to mass hysteria is not the right way to tackle environmental issues."
"It's good to see conservative environmental groups, and an alternative to groups like [New Jersey Public Interest Research Group]," said Greg Walker president of the Rutgers College Republicans.
Founded in 1985, the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow's mission is "to enhance the fruitfulness of the Earth and all of its inhabitants," according to the committee Web site.
Rothbard said embracing sound science and technology, promoting economic prosperity and private property rights, and fostering human creativity will help accomplish this mission.
The Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow, a student group working closely with the Washington-based Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, also attended the meeting. Collegians' National Director Bill Gilles reiterated the points Rothbard made and said chapters of the organization are beginning to be formed at more college campuses.
Walker invited the group to speak at the College Republicans meeting upon being contacted by one of its members.
The Rutgers College Republicans meet on Wednesday nights at the Atrium meeting room in the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus.
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