The Green New Deal

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and with each day, the stakes grow higher. Climate change isn’t just about rising temperatures, and droughts, it’s about the policies that we choose to implement to protect our planet and ensure a better future for everyone. The Green New Deal was one of the most ambitious climate proposals and today, I am going to be unpacking it. 

Introduced to the US congress in 2019, it aimed to address the climate crisis while simultaneously addressing economic inequality. Its goals included transitioning the economy to 100% renewable energy, creating millions of green jobs, and ensuring justice for the communities that are experiencing the effects of climate change first hand. Some resolutions included calls for universal health care, increased minimum wages, access to clean water and clean air, and affordable and safe housing. This act was modeled after the New Deal of the 1930s, which helped pull the US out of the Great Depression. This vision was ambitious and there have been many debates relating to it. 

As teenagers, we often hear adults say how climate change is a problem for the next generation but the truth is, we don’t have that kind of time. Scientists have warned that there needs to be a change within the next decade before what’s done can’t be reversed and we have to bear the worst impacts of climate change. People wonder if this can be accomplished without putting policies in place. Frankly, the answer is no. Projects like the Green New Deal are essential to reverse the climate clock. The GND also recognized that climate change doesn’t affect everyone equally. Communities of color, low-income families, often bear the brunt of the impact climate change has. By prioritizing justice, the GND ensured that the solutions to climate change benefit everyone and not such a select few. 

In my opinion, the Green New Deal was a great and ambitious plan. To me, the deal is not just about reducing emissions, it’s about reimagining what a fair and sustainable society looks like. The focus on creating green jobs is a key component of the plan because it shows how climate action and economic growth can go hand in hand. What stands out to me is the way the GND aimed to connect climate actions with broader social issues such as healthcare and housing. It’s a reminder that climate change isn’t an isolated problem, it is connected to many main aspects of our lives which is why it is even more essential. 

Of Course the Green New Deal faced controversy from many people. Some argue that it’s too expensive while others argue it’s not practical and that it is too idealistic. These are valid concerns but I believe if we don’t invest in solutions now, the economic and environmental issues we face will only continue to grow and get to the point where no solution is possible. 

In the face of a global crisis, bold solutions are necessary. As young people, we have the power to shape the conversation around climate policies and our voices matter. The fight against climate is about building a future where everyone can thrive. The Green New Deal offered a clear roadmap of what the next years can look like but that vision needs to become a reality. If the Green New Deal failed to pass at a national level, it could potentially start at a state level. It would be a step in the right direction if some states starting implementing the ideas of this plan.