ENVIRONMENT »» REGULATION »» GREEN NEW DEAL »» May 10, 2021

Too many years have passed without our nation taking significant steps to halt global warming. Solid efforts have been made by most states and individuals to recycle, cut greenhouse gasses, transition to renewable fuels and reduce carbon footprints. However, most Americans feel this existential threat cannot be solved except through massive national mobilization and a dedicated commitment to our goal. Some have compared such an effort to the mobilization needed to defeat the Nazis. However, due to political gridlock and internal division, our federal government has been unable to provide much leadership in these pivotal times. Distrustful of scientific data, many politicians do not believe this problem even exists, or that mankind has caused it. Advocates say we’re riding a runaway freight train and it’s only a matter of time before it’s hopelessly out of control. And that time is growing short. If we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change by limiting global warming to 2.6 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century, we only have 9 years left to drastically cut carbon emissions. Should average temperatures climb much above 2.6 degrees, we’ll find ourselves living on a much hotter planet with much larger storms, fires, hurricanes, floods, droughts, shortages and wars than we do today. Opponents of mass-mobilization claim the costs will be too high, the sacrifices too great. Proponents claim we cannot fail to engage this threat because failure to do so is not an option. We may be condemning mankind’s future generations to a hellish existence should success elude us. Pending Resolution: H.Res.332 - Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal. Sponsor: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) Status: House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Chair: Rep. Grace Napolitano (CA)