<p>Freshman lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Thursday unveiled her “Green New Deal” &#8211; an ambitious proposal that aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate the economy through job creation.</p>
<p>The package is non-binding, which means that no action would be required if it passes. A companion bill was introduced in the Senate this week by Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey.</p>
<p>AOC’s proposal is “one of several or maybe many suggestions that we receive,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ahead of the reveal. “The green dream or whatever they call it, nobody knows what it is, but they’re for it, right?”</p>
<p>Pelosi softened her stance Thursday, saying: “Quite frankly, I haven’t seen it, but I do know it’s enthusiastic and we welcome all the enthusiasm that is out there.”</p>
<p><strong>The Green New Deal seeks to address a number of &#8220;crises&#8221; including: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Declining life expectancy</li>
<li>Economic stagnation</li>
<li>The erosion of worker bargaining power</li>
<li>Income inequality</li>
<li>Racial and social injustices</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Goals of the proposal include:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions</li>
<li>Guaranteed employment (with paid vacations and retirement security)</li>
<li>Free healthcare</li>
<li>Investment in high-speed railroads</li>
<li>Clean water, healthy food, and &#8220;access to nature&#8221;</li>
</ul>
<p>The resolution outlines a 10-year economic mobilization plan that calls for major expansions of power sources and a total overhaul of the transportation sector. It also asks that all future infrastructure bills specifically address climate change.</p>
<p><strong>According to estimates, full implementation of the proposal would cost trillions of dollars.</strong></p>
<p>“Even the solutions that we have considered big and bold are nowhere near the scale of the actual problem that climate change presents to us,” says AOC. “This really is about providing justice for communities and just transitions for communities&#8230;So, really, the heart of the Green Deal is about social justice.”</p>
<p>According to <em>Fox News</em>, the outrageous proposal has support from eight potential or confirmed 2020 Democratic presidential candidates including Fauxahantus (Elizabeth Warren), Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, and Kirsten Gillibrand.</p>
<p><strong>Not surprisingly, the proposal is also supported by Bernie Sanders and Al Gore.</strong></p>
<p>Author&#8217;s Note: The tension between AOC and Nancy Pelosi is indicative of the growing rift between Progressive Democrats fighting for a socialist-style economy and Establishment Democrats, who are worried the party is moving too far to the left.</p>
<p>On Thursday, Pelosi confirmed that AOC would not be serving on the chamber’s new “climate crisis&#8221; panel &#8211; which was formed after Democratic leaders rejected AOC&#8217;s request for a special committee on climate change.</p>
<p><strong>Editor&#8217;s note:</strong> Climate Change advocates are a very large constituency of the Democratic Party. The Dem&#8217;s have used this as a club to beat on the allegedly anti-science Republicans many times in the past. But are they serious enough to take action? Nancy&#8217;s lack of enthusiasm make indicate a lack of interest by the establishment Democrats who have, perhaps, a completely different agenda.</p>
<p>Full disclaimer, I&#8217;m a climate change skeptic but I&#8217;ve written a book on the solution to climate change that does not involve spending trillions of dollars. A Republican solution to climate change that costs nothing (is indeed profitable) and ushers in an economic boom could pull a great many climate change advocates into the Republican Party. Want to know more? <a href="http://theenergynet.com">Go to The Energy Net</a>.</p>