Transforming Our Energy System, Uplifting Communities
Climate change is an existential crisis that requires bold, transformative national action. Savitha Gokulraman champions the Green Party's comprehensive Green New Deal to eliminate emissions while building broad-based working-class prosperity.
The Three Pillars of the Green New Deal
1. 100% Renewable Energy & Public Ownership
The Green New Deal is a broad set of proposals aimed at addressing climate change while also creating economic opportunities and supporting communities affected by the transition away from fossil fuels. At the center of these proposals is the goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2030. To achieve this transition, the Green New Deal calls for ending the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power, placing energy production under democratic public ownership, and ending government subsidies for fossil fuel industries. It also proposes banning environmentally harmful practices such as fracking, tar sands extraction, and offshore drilling.
2. 20 Million Jobs & Military Budget Redirection
Along with transforming the energy system, the Green New Deal emphasizes the importance of creating new economic opportunities. It proposes creating 20 million jobs in industries such as clean energy, public transportation, sustainable agriculture, and infrastructure. These investments would not only help reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also aim to provide workers with stable employment as the economy moves away from fossil fuels. To help fund these environmental and economic programs, the proposals include cutting military spending by at least 50% and redirecting some of those resources toward climate and infrastructure initiatives.
3. A Fair & Just Transition
Finally, the Green New Deal emphasizes that the transition to a cleaner economy should also be a fair one. A “just transition” would provide protections and support for workers whose jobs are affected by the decline of fossil fuel industries while also helping communities that have experienced disproportionate levels of pollution. In this way, the proposals connect environmental goals with economic and social concerns, arguing that addressing climate change should also involve creating jobs, investing in communities, and ensuring that workers are not left behind.
Official Green Party Platform Source
Read the national Green New Deal declaration adopted by the Green Party of the United States.