Between 1933 and 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted the New Deal, a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations. The program focused on relief for the poor and unemployed, recovery of the economy and reform of the financial system in the wake of the Great Depression. Historians are divided over the effectiveness of different segments of the New Deal, however it is clear that without it the US would not have continued as the Global leader it is today.
On the 7th of February, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from the 14th Congressional District in New York, introduced Resolution 109 to the House of Representatives, “Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal”. Currently the Resolution has the backing of 91 co-sponsors, all democratic. It is an ambitious document, seeking to: achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions; establishing millions of high-wage jobs and ensuring economic security for all; investing in infrastructure and industry; securing clean air and water, climate and community resiliency, healthy food, access to nature, and a sustainable environment for all; and promoting justice and equality.
The timeline is more ambitious than the document itself, hoping to accomplish its goals through a 10-year national mobilization effort. The 14 page document is a blueprint that can be understood by all. It is surprising that detractors have not taken the time to fully read through the simplicity of the plan. There is an even shorter summary listing the 5 main goals and 6 projects to accomplish these.
The Green New Deal is attempting to provide similar results of the original New Deal, replacing the Great Depression with man made Climate Change. The recognition that Climate Change is interlinked with other social injustice and combatting the effects will require extensive planning from the government to shift the whole economy.
While the document as a whole promotes well being, one section stands out: “promoting the international exchange of technology, expertise, products, funding, and services, with the aim of making the United States the international leader on climate action, and to help other countries achieve a Green New Deal.”
We agree that as a global leader, it is the responsibility of the US to help others with their own goals. The US has the opportunity to not only save the planet for themselves, but lead the rest of the world into a sustainable future.
Specific goals and projects summarized by the CRS:
This resolution calls for the creation of a Green New Deal with the goals of
- achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions;
- establishing millions of high-wage jobs and ensuring economic security for all;
- investing in infrastructure and industry;
- securing clean air and water, climate and community resiliency, healthy food, access to nature, and a sustainable environment for all; and
- promoting justice and equality.
The resolution calls for accomplishment of these goals through a 10-year national mobilization effort. The resolution also enumerates the goals and projects of the mobilization effort, including
- building smart power grids (i.e., power grids that enable customers to reduce their power use during peak demand periods);
- upgrading all existing buildings and constructing new buildings to achieve maximum energy and water efficiency;
- removing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation and agricultural sectors;
- cleaning up existing hazardous waste and abandoned sites;
- ensuring businesspersons are free from unfair competition; and
- providing higher education, high-quality health care, and affordable, safe, and adequate housing to all.
Anyone who reads this document will understand the basics. But for those of you who get your information from opinionated news sources – What the Green New Deal does not demand: Immediate ban of fossil fuels. What the Green Deal does not take away: Your “freedom” to travel by air; “Farting Cows.”
Fixing the country’s infrastructure, growing jobs, providing healthcare, education and housing in an environmentally responsible way won’t be cheap. But there shouldn’t be a price put on keeping the earth in a state that everyone can thrive on. The non-binding agreement should be viewed as a challenge. One that we should all be eager to take on.
The Green New Deal is a start. It won’t pass through todays government. But it is a step in the right direction. It shows understanding of Climate Science and attempts to present a solution to rectify. Today’s leaders will be judged tomorrow. And what do you want your children to read about you?
