The Green New Deal

The Green New Deal: Climate change issues? Solved. Income inequality? Solved. Well, hopefully this is what happens over the next decade.  Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is a freshman Democratic representative for New York, and is currently the target of a lot of hate and critisicim as many Republicans are labeling her as an idiot, along with her brainchild The Green New Deal.

Alexandria Ocasio Cortez was born on October 13th 989 and she is an American politician and activist. She has been the U.S. representative for New York’s 14th congressional district since January 3rd 2019. Her district includes the eastern part of The Bronx and portions of north-central Queens in New York City. Being a New York native, AOC is very passionate and active in the political realm- especially in New York.  Her unlooked for victory last November was widely hailed as a wake-up call to the old guard in the Democratic party, and ushered in a sense of hope, connection and activism among her many young supporters.  Her Green New Deal is an important part of her personal philosophy and professional platform.

What the Green New Deal Will Do

The Green New Deal hopes to eliminate many national economic issues along with the global concern of climate change. According to the website sponsored by advocates of the plan, here are many ideas about how to incorporate the Green New Deal into our country’s route of success.

1. Grants and low-interest loans will go towards investments in green businesses with a closer focus on small locally based companies. This will keep the wealth created by local labor circulating throughout the community rather than drainage of money to enrich absentee investors.
2. By 2030, the goal is to move to 100% clean energy which means “green research” will need to be prioritized.  Wind, solar and geothermal research will be imperative to be able to invest in these sustainable and nontoxic materials. Elimination of waste and pollution along with permaculture and sustainable forestry is where the country’s focus should be.
3. The Full Employment Program will provide green jobs which will automatically provide 16 million jobs in sustainable energy and energy-efficiency retrofitting, mass transit and “complete streets” that promote safe and environmental ways of transportation such as bike and pedestrian traffic. There will be regional food systems based on sustainable organic agriculture and manufacturing.

Moreover, an Economic  Bill of Rights is included in the Green New Deal and it gives the right to single payer healthcare, guaranteed employment at a living wage, free college education and affordable housing–all popular with youthful supporters of AOC.

The centerpiece of the Green New Deal is a transition to 100% clean energy by 2030.

Many are saying the proposed deal is everything and nothing at the same time, establising goals with little to no recommendations on how these goals will be met. Transportation methods in the United States will be modified to energy efficient vehicles emitting less greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Farmers and ranchers will be encouraged to collaborate with the government to eliminate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Labor laws could strengthen and enforce workplace health and safety, labor, anti-discrimination, and wage and hour standards across all sectors, employers, and industries.  But all of these things require many moving parts in government and culture to align, and how to make that happen quickly and in unison is yet to be determined.

Even though many politicians from both parties think the idea is a long shot and not very realistic, 2020 presidential contenders are supporting the idea, which can be deemed as progressive left and can easily define a successful Democratic candidate’s platform. Climate change has been a controversial subject, especially between political parties. President Trump has described climate change as a “Chinese hoax”, suggesting that the problem does not even exist. Not surprisingly, the President’s administration feels the same about the issue- that it has no relevance. When addressing the nation during the State of the Union, President Trump referred to the idea of climate change as socialism. Neither the president or his administration giving the Green New Deal any attention at all.