Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
On the fourth anniversary of the Green New Deal, the lawmakers released an implementation guide to help localities maximize the grant opportunities in the Inflation Reduction Act – largest federal investment in climate change to date
They also unveiled new Green New Deal legislation and discussed the work ahead
Resolution Text (PDF)
Washington (April 20, 2023) – Today, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) were joined by labor, health, and climate justice advocates in celebrating the reintroduction of the Green New Deal Resolution. The Green New Deal proposes to tackle the climate crisis with a 10-year mobilization that puts millions of Americans to work in good-paying, union jobs. Similar to FDR’s New Deal, these jobs would be focused on strengthening the nation’s public infrastructure as well as tackling pollution and climate damage.
In the four years since the Green New Deal was first introduced, the tenacious advocacy of the movement resulted in the largest ever federal investment to fight climate change in the Inflation Reduction Act. Today, Senator Markey and Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez unveiled a Green New Deal Implementation Guide [LINK] that provides cities, states, Tribes, nonprofits and individuals with the tools to take full advantage of new federal funding in order to create on-the-ground progress toward a Green New Deal future.
“In the four years since we first introduced the Green New Deal, the tides of our movement have risen and lifted climate action to the top of the national agenda. Thanks to the persistence of the Green New Deal movement, we succeeded in securing historic progress through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and now we have an obligation to honor the origins of that success – which sprung from the young people and workers who never once stopped organizing for their future – by putting those dollars to work to create dignified jobs, rectify generations of systemic injustice, and reverse climate damage,” said Senator Markey. “We have demonstrated that our movement is a potent political force, and in the run-up to the 2024 elections, we will direct this power to demanding solutions to the intersectional crises Congress has yet to address: in health care, child care, schools, housing, transit, labor, and economic and racial justice.”
“When we first introduced the Green New Deal, we were told that our vision for the future was too aspirational. Four years later, we see core tenets of the Green New Deal reflected in the Inflation Reduction Act — the largest ever federal investment in fighting climate change, with a focus on creating good, green jobs. But there is still much, much more to do to make environmental justice the center of U.S. climate policy. Today’s reintroduction marks the beginning of that process — of strengthening and broadening our coalition, and of laying the policy groundwork for the next fight,” said Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez.
At the press conference, the lawmakers also acknowledged the shortcomings of the Inflation Reduction Act, namely in addressing health and racial justice, supporting sustainable and affordable housing, building a robust care economy, improving public transit, and investing in American education and schools. To help bridge that gap, Senator Markey joined with Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) to announce the Green New Deal for Health, legislation that will enable the U.S. health care system to respond to climate change by improving sustainability and supporting patients, providers and communities. The Green New Deal for Health is one of 10 Green New Deal bills that have been developed to date – others include the Green New Deal for Public Housing, the Green New Deal for Cities, the Green New Deal for Public Schools, and the Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act.
Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mazie Hirono (D- Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) are cosponsors of the Green New Deal Resolution.
“Last year, Congress passed sweeping climate legislation I wrote, setting us on a path toward a cleaner, greener future. These historic investments wouldn’t have passed without young people in Oregon and across the country demanding climate action,” said Senator Ron Wyden. “Our work is not done, and right now, I’m laser focused on making sure implementation of the climate provisions is done right. It is my hope that we can continue to build on the progress made to further realize the vision of the Green New Deal.”
“Four years after the introduction of the Green New Deal, the climate crisis is even more urgent: temperatures are still rising, storms are getting stronger, and flooding is becoming more frequent,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “The fight for environmental justice and a sustainable economy has never been more important, and I’m committed to working alongside Senator Markey and Representative Ocasio-Cortez to see it through.”
“It’s thanks to the Green New Deal movement that we made transformational investments to green our economy and fight climate change,” said Senator Peter Welch. “But the fight isn’t over. We can – and must – continue to push for the values of the Green New Deal, from creating good-paying green jobs to tackling economic inequality. I am proud to join my colleagues to continue the push for policy that puts people and planet first and builds a more sustainable, equitable, and brighter future.”
“The Green New Deal—dismissed by many as unachievable four years ago—now seems more realistic and necessary than ever,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Modernizing the grid, building housing, creating green jobs—all are doable and affordable, along with numerous other measures to save the planet. I’m proud to be an original and steadfast supporter.”
“The historic climate investments passed in the Inflation Reduction Act were made possible by the bold and ambitious vision set forth by the Green New Deal,” said Senator Padilla. “Now more than ever, as we brace for another year of record-breaking wildfires, floods, and unprecedented climate catastrophes, we must take advantage of this historic opportunity to transform our economy and build a clean energy future.”
The Green New Deal Resolution is endorsed by Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, Care in Action, Center for Popular Democracy, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Climate Action, Corazon Latino, Cuyama Lamb LLC, Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action, FracTracker Alliance, Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, Green New Deal Network, Greenpeace USA, Justice Democrats, League of Conservation Voters, MADRE, Marked By Covid, Mid-Ohio Valley, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, National Domestic Workers Alliance, NY Renews Coalition, People’s Action, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, Right to the City Alliance, Rachel Carson Council, Sierra Club, Sunrise Movement, Sunflower Alliance, The Black Hive @ M4BL, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), United We Dream, US High Speed Rail Association, WildEarth Guardians, WV New Jobs Coalition, Zero Hour, 350 Hawaii, and 350.org.
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