Promoting The Green New Deal

Letters to the editor

Promoting The Green New Deal

Dale Perkins, Nanaimo

Volume 33  Issue 4, 5 & 6 | Posted: June 13, 2019

       The Green New Deal is a recent title used by many who are embracing the hard-core realities imposed on our planet from climate change.  While the term originated in the US, American context and has been articulated and advanced by US American politicians and environmentalists (notably Alexandria Ocasio-Cortey and Bernie Sanders) it is influencing more and more Canadians. A few of the notable signatories to the GND and “Our Times” movement are people like David Suzuki and Grant Chief Steward Phillips, and the founder of “Our Times” Nayeli Jimenez.

       The Green New Deal is a recent title used by many who are embracing the hard-core realities imposed on our planet from climate change.  While the term originated in the US, American context and has been articulated and advanced by US American politicians and environmentalists (notably Alexandria Ocasio-Cortey and Bernie Sanders) it is influencing more and more Canadians. A few of the notable signatories to the GND and “Our Times” movement are people like David Suzuki and Grant Chief Steward Phillips, and the founder of “Our Times” Nayeli Jimenez.
       Over the next period of 2019, Town hall meetings will be held across Canada, and several high-profile political leaders are joining the movement as it spreads. There is a sense of urgency embedded in the movement, fueled by alarming reports coming out of the UN and several government agencies. Obviously many are alarmed at the rapid deterioration of our natural environment and are desperately searching for causes and solutions.
       While exact details of the GND remain to be worked out, at its core are three principles: decarbonization, jobs and justice. Each focuses on specific issues that must be addressed; each requires a major lifestyle change from each one of us. Making those changes won’t be easy or automatic. Vested interests have used the prescribed patterns in place to advance their interests. To change or radically adjust them will cause loud and acrimonious complaints.  It's been said that a close analogy to what we must see happen would be World War II International conflicts and warfare demanded sacrifices from everyone. Such is the demand now. The overarching question remains – are we prepared to make those changes? In moments of social sobriety we realize we cannot avoid the needed changes forever. The one significant question is – are we prepared to make them?
       Corrective actions happen willingly if each of us confronts the actual threats to our lives – such as a raging forest fire sweeping down towards our home, or rising waters invading our houses and streets, and hurricanes and torrential rains approaching and forecast. Taking remedial action becomes automatic. However, are we capable of action in concert when the imminent dangers happen “over there” somewhere. Therefore we must be prepared to exhibit attitudes and behaviour which might be classified as “enlightened” and many of us prefer to drop the “enlightened” term and just stick with self interests. 
       In summary, we live in very critical times and of the many voices demanding to be heard are those whose self-interests supercede collective interests. And those voices are well-financed and powerful.  They happen to be a few, which makes it hopeful that the great majority will assert our right to require significant changes happening. And finally, if we still want to retain our democratic system we have in place those counter/negative voices will only be a tiny minority and the voice of the majority will prevail.

   

Dale Perkins, Nanaimo