U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey released the outline of their “Green New Deal,” a framework that addresses the impacts of climate change and economic inequality, on Thursday.
The resolution begins by citing facts that should concern every American. Human activity is the main driver of climate change, and climate change causes sea levels to rise and increases the severity of wildfires, storms, drought and other weather events that threaten life, communities and infrastructure.
While the message of the Green New Deal is important, the measure would have no direct impact if passed through the U.S. Congress. As a nonbinding resolution, it wouldn’t create any new programs or funding measures. The Green New Deal would serve only as a promise to the American people stating that the government will take climate change seriously.
This resolution ought to be passed by the House of Representatives to send a clear message to Senate Republicans and President Donald Trump: that Democrats understand the issue of a changing workforce and climate. It is clear that the Green New Deal is not a law, but it will set a precedent and promise for a greener, better tomorrow in the United States.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called the resolution “one of several or maybe many suggestions that we receive” in an interview with Politico. “The green dream or whatever they call it,” she went on to say, “nobody knows what it is, but they’re for it right?”
Pelosi must not dismiss fellow representative Ocasio-Cortez. No matter your age or seniority, every member of Congress should be heard.
Nevertheless, the Green New Deal is unreasonable in several respects.
The plan calls for the completion of its goal for carbon neutrality in a “10-year national mobilization.” Moreover, AOC’s office told NPR that her goal is to end the use of fossil fuels. Boston, a progressive bastion, has plans to become carbon neutral in 2050, which is 20 years past the Green New Deal’s target deadline and will still be difficult to meet.
The Green New Deal also lacks a specific funding measure attached. While a Green New Deal FAQ released by AOC’s office cites a cap and trade and/or a carbon tax as a possible solution, there are no dollar figures attached to it, either. Whether or not this resolution is passed, Democrats must debate and negotiate with Republicans and within the party on the issue of taxing carbon.
Preventive measures are always better than reactive measures. A carbon tax could act as both a preventive solution by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and a reactive one by funding infrastructure and energy projects to combat the effects of climate change.
The Green New Deal is an extension of the platform on which AOC ran. When politicians follow through on the promises they made on the campaign trail, democracy is strengthened. While we support the passing of this resolution, we also understand that this is the first step in many to address the economic challenges Americans will face in the decades to come.
Only through big and bold ideas will we be able to combat the most significant issues of our time. No matter the unrealistic nature, Democrats must think large if they wish to capture the minds and hearts of all Americans. 2020 is looming, after all.
