| Climate chaos is the biggest challenge our society will face in our lifetimes. Every week, it seems, we see evidence of the devastating impacts on people’s lives and livelihoods, and if we don’t act, it’s only going to get much, much worse. The impacts we’re already seeing — longer and more intense fire seasons, stronger and more frequent hurricanes, rising sea levels, horrific droughts, collapses of fisheries, more cases of asthma and other respiratory diseases and more — will soon become utterly catastrophic to communities across America, and especially to some of our most vulnerable communities. It’s clear that to preserve the health of our families and our ecosystem, a bold change must be made — and we have to do it fast. We need a bold plan to end the carbon pollution driving climate chaos. That’s why last Congress I introduced the 100 by ’50 Act, the first Congressional roadmap to transition America to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. And last week, I built on that momentum by joining my colleagues in introducing a resolution calling for a Green New Deal. The Green New Deal is a vision to not just meet the climate crisis, but also to take advantage of this opportunity to build a stronger, fairer economy. It envisions jobs in communities that have been left behind, stronger unions, and infrastructure that can fuel growth. We have already witnessed glimmers of renewable energy’s astounding potential to employ millions of workers and lower consumers’ energy bills — so we know it’s possible to create millions of stable, good-paying jobs that will give working Americans the opportunities they deserve. 
The Green New Deal also recognizes the climate crisis as a chance to level the playing field for communities that have been disproportionately affected by generations of pollution. For decades, working communities have faced higher rates of asthma and heart attacks, all while fossil fuel corporations have pumped tens millions dollars of special interest money into Congress to keep the status quo and prevent climate action. This reality is unfair and unacceptable, and that’s why I’m fighting for this bold solution. The stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s time for Congress to embrace climate action for what it is, an opportunity to protect the health of our communities and build an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and the powerful. To read the full text of the Green New Deal, click here. All my best, Jeff |
