By Margaret MacGillivray
There is a new push in government for clean and green energy. This push is taking the form of the Green New Deal, led by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The Green New Deal takes its name from the economic reform and job programs instituted by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935. Many claim that if passed, the deal will be just as, if not more, revolutionary than the original New Deal. The Green New Deal would invest in clean energy jobs and infrastructure and would transition the United States into fossil fuel-free energy by taxing companies for emitting fossil fuels. It would eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from electricity, transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture. Its purpose is not only to save the planet, but to rebuild the economy with the goal of giving a living wage job to everyone in need. As Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said, “This is going to be the New Deal, the Great Society, the moon shot, the civil rights movement of our generation.”
The Green New Deal would provide a much-needed change in the way our nation addresses climate change. A United Nations report last month recommended cutting worldwide greenhouse gases by almost half by 2030 to avoid catastrophic effects of climate change, causing many Democrats to come out in support of the policy. The policy takes specific steps to help control the effects of carbon in the atmosphere. It would restore forests and wetlands to revive the carbon-curbing trees. The policy would also clean up air and water. Not only would the Green New Deal help to limit climate change, but it would also create many new jobs. Targeted investments in clean energy, energy efficiency, reforestation, and construction would create private-sector green jobs. Lastly, the Green New Deal is built on principles of equality and justice through universal income.
While there has been a lot of support for this proposed policy, there has also been some dissent. Many say that ending poverty and creating jobs shouldn’t be in the same category as ending climate change. They claim that money spent on a universal income goes far beyond our changing climate. They also say that we cannot afford the Green New Deal. Supporters have disproven these comments by demonstrating that clean energy is cheaper than coal. Clean energy has the potential to create even more jobs than fossil fuels. According to a recent report by a group of federal agencies, if we fail to act, climate change will shrink the American economy by 10% by the end of the century.
The Green New Deal could curb two major issues plaguing our planet: climate change and poverty. Many are afraid of the bold measures this policy would entail. Many more, however, believe that this is the extreme measure we need to save our planet and our people. Let’s not rest until we all have a green future and living wage jobs.