“YIMBYs should embrace a housing reform agenda broader than increasing urban density. This should start with ending tax shelters in the form of land conservation easements to cattle ranches and farms that abut suburbs. This would create an incentive for landowners convert them either to new housing subdivisions or to genuinely new natural areas.”

American political activist and writer, born in Colorado

Michael D. Shellenberger is an American political activist and writer associated with ecomodernism. Born in Colorado, he earned degrees in peace and anthropology in the 1990s and later became known for his heterodox views. After founding public relations firms, he co-founded the ecomodernist think tank Breakthrough Institute in 2003. His writing and commentary have drawn criticism from scientists and others for errors in reporting, his stance on climate change, and what some have described as anti-green contrarianism.