We believe it is time for every citizen and elected official to show up and find the courage to face the climate emergency. We urge you to seize this moment and stand with all of us by supporting the Green New Deal resolution.

The recent reports from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United States Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCS) confirm what our 2016 Democratic Party Platform had already declared - we are in a climate emergency and an urgent and immediate response is required. What is hopeful about these particular reports is that we have finally shifted from the abstraction of long-term timelines. They call for an emergency response now. This is the decade that matters.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY12) and our allies in the Sunrise Movement and The Climate Mobilization are leading the way forward with calls for real, bold, truthful action on climate; to turn away from gradualism. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has proposed a resolution calling for a new Select Committee for a Green New Deal.

Working synergistically with the Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources and Science, Space and Technology committees this new select committee would have the authority to research and develop a “detailed, national, industrial, economic mobilization plan for the transition of the United States economy to become carbon neutral and to significantly draw down and capture greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and oceans and to promote economic and environmental justice and equality.” According to the draft resolution, the committees charge national mobilization plan shall “be executed in no longer than 10 years from the start of execution of such Plan”, The Plan is to be completed on Jan. 1, 2020 and the accompanying legislation completed two months later. The scope of the plan would include:

(1) 100% of national power generation from renewable sources;

(2) Building a national, energy-efficient, “smart” grid;

(3) Upgrading every residential and industrial building for state-of-the-art energy efficiency, comfort and safety;

(4) Decarbonizing the manufacturing, agricultural and other industries;

(5) Decarbonizing, repairing and improving transportation and other infrastructure;

(6) Funding massive investment in the draw down and capture of greenhouse gases;

(7) Making “green” technology, industry, expertise, products and services a major export of the United States, with the aim of becoming the undisputed international leader in helping other countries transition to completely carbon neutral economies and bringing about a global Green New Deal.

Stand with us and call your representatives to support the creation of a select committee for a Green New Deal.

Respectfully,

Central Ohio Progressive Democrats of America