Too often, conservatives are smeared as being against clean air or clean water.

However, University of Colorado – Colorado Springs student Jonathan Toman shows how conservative policies actually compliment environmentalism.

I used to think I was an anomaly. I identify as a conservative in many of my views, yet I am also very passionate about the idea and implementation of sustainability.

The traditional political pairing of sustainability is liberalism. When you think of one, the other seems to inevitably follow.

So what was I? A unique, strange combination of ideas. Or so I thought.

Not so long ago, I came to the realization that I am not alone in my belief that sustainability and conservatism are compatible. I even came to understand that the better political pairing for sustainability is conservatism.

One of the major things holding sustainability back is its lack of use in business, as well as innovation to create competition for new and better sustainability ideas.

Contrary to popular belief, innovation does not come from the government. One of the staples of conservatism is belief in the individual and the belief that competition within business, not laws from the government, drives both our economy and the world forward with innovative ideas.

In a recent article published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, it was reported the Target Corporation will be installing a rating system that will look at the sustainability of many of the products sold at Target.

“Each product will be ranked on a 100-point scale based on the sustainability of its ingredients, label transparency and overall environmental impact. The higher the score, the better,” the author explained.

Target’s senior group manager of sustainability was quoted in the article as saying, “Today, there is no consensus on what a more-sustainable product is, especially within these categories. Developing a product standard is the first step toward expanding the selection of sustainable product choices, and not just a subset of products that are called ‘natural.’”

And, oh yeah, Wal-Mart also has a similar sustainability index in place.

This is a perfect example of how business and sustainability can be intertwined and lead to better things for both the consumer and the business.

Businesses, on their own and without influence from the government, are making decisions and implementing sustainable change that is in the best interests of all involved.

So what am I? I am a conservative who believes in sustainability. And despite the fact that I may be the minority, it’s a significant minority.