Much fanfare and criticism have accompanied the announcement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Ed Markey’s (D-Mass.) Green New Deal. Both are necessary. It is positive that the idea of a Green New Deal is receiving attention, but the actual resolution falls far short of what is needed to address the climate crisis. As Jason Grumet, president of the Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank, said, “At the moment, the Green New Deal is a mirror that allows anyone to see their own interest."

New York – Members of the Green Party of New York (GPNY) came out in full force to demand immediate and comprehensive action to address the planetary emergency of climate change at New York State Senate hearings held the week of February 10, 2019. Greens called for the elimination of new fossil fuel infrastructure, particularly the building of new gas pipelines and gas-fired power plants, and moving to a carbon-neutral, 100% clean, renewable energy economy by 2030. They emphasized the need for a just transition for workers and frontline communities most affected by climate change.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Green New Deal is not the eco-socialist approach the Green Party has had in mind in gubernatorial and presidential campaigns since 2010. The Greens' version is an economic justice program like the original New Deal. It aims to revitalize the public sector in order to secure universal economic rights to a living-wage job, an adequate income, decent housing, comprehensive health care, and a good education. It includes public job and income guarantees, expanded public housing, improved Medicare for all, and free public education from pre-K through college. It's a Green New Deal because it would also build a zero-carbon, 100 percent clean energy economy by 2030 to provide the economic stimulus and sustainable foundation for economic rights for all.

Testimony by Howie Hawkins, Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation Public Hearing to discuss the Climate and Community Protection Act.

Albany, NY, February 11, 2019 – Thank you for this public hearing to discuss how to strengthen and improve the Climate and Community Protection Act (A3871/S2292). My name is Howie Hawkins. I am a retired Teamster from Syracuse, New York. I was the Green Party candidate for Governor of New York in 2010, 2014, and 2018.

Why We Must Support a Real Green New Deal Before It's Too Late!

One of the most talked about policy changes currently taking place in Washington, D.C. and here in New Jersey is "The Green New Deal," a plank in the Green Party US and the Green Party of New Jersey (GPNJ's) platform for decades. GPNJ calls on Governor Murphy, state senators and assembly members, local officials and our entire New Jersey Congressional delegation to support a Real Green New Deal with enforcement mechanisms. According to the most recent report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we have only 12 years to prevent a total planetary disaster.

We interviewed Dahr Jamail about his new book, “The End of Ice,” for our podcast, Clearing the FOG, this week. It will be available Monday. Jamail describes the grim reality of human-caused climate distortion. The bottom line is: It is here. It is accelerating. We need to take swift action to attempt to mitigate it and adapt to it as best we can.

The Green Party of the United States has championed the idea of a Green New Deal to address the climate crisis and wealth inequality for nearly a decade. Given the most recent report by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change giving twelve years to address the crisis, we need bold solutions now, not compromise.

The Democrat's proposed Green New Deal fails to address one of the biggest drivers of the climate crisis: the use of fossil fuels as an energy source. It contains loop holes for their continued use without a set end date. The Green Party's plan for a Green New Deal would transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030.

The Pacific Green Party of Oregon today called for a "Real Green New Deal" that addresses not only the climate crisis but also the corporate control of our government and economy.

While Democrat presidential candidates and Senators Jeff Merkley and Cory Booker, along with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, this week announced their support for a Green New Deal, based on language and issues the Green Party has been promoting for almost twenty five years, the Democrats' version ignores the economic inequity and rampant corporatism at the heart of our current environmental crisis.

The Green New Deal is suddenly a hot topic in the news and on the streets. Did you know that the Green Party has been promoting a Green New Deal for climate protection and economic human rights in our platform and on the campaign trail since 2010?

Greens are glad to finally see a spotlight on a comprehensive plan to address the climate emergency and, in the process, create millions of good jobs. But most Democrats and environmental groups who have picked up our slogan have also watered down the program.