Our planet is in peril, and time is running out. With a new Democratic Congress, we must press for the most comprehensive climate change reforms possible.
Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez & progressive groups like the Sunrise Movement are pushing for a Green New Deal. Specifically this calls for:
- 100% of national power generation from renewable sources;
- Building a national, energy-efficient, “smart” grid;
- Upgrading every residential and industrial building for state-of-the-art energy efficiency, comfort and safety;
- Decarbonizing the manufacturing, agricultural and other industries;
- Decarbonizing, repairing and improving transportation and other infrastructure;
- Funding massive investment in the drawdown and capture of greenhouse gases;
Making “green” technology, industry, expertise, products and services a major export of the United States, with the aim of becoming the undisputed international leader in helping other countries transition to completely carbon neutral economies and bringing about a global Green New Deal.
The Green New Deal also has racial & economic justice elements to ensure that the poor and people of color do not bear the brunt of climate change catastrophes.
Is the Green New Deal Ambitious? Yes. Radical? Sure. But our dire climate situation has made it clear that we are on the edge of catastrophe, and we need to make such changes.