The Green Party has issued a statement following a recent report by Dr. James Hansen, which suggests that global warming is advancing faster than previously predicted. The party criticized climate policy decisions made by President Donald Trump while urging Congress and state officials to take decisive action.
According to the statement, specific policy changes under Trump prompting concern include withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, appointing officials with ties to the fossil fuel industry, and implementing policy shifts that could expand greenhouse gas emissions while reducing support for renewable energy. The Green Party contends that such actions will worsen the climate crisis, with devastating consequences for communities worldwide.
“Climate change is an existential threat to the future of human civilization, as extreme weather is already devastating communities across the globe,” said Rachel Braaten, a member of the Green Party of Minnesota and co-chair of the party’s EcoAction Committee. “We need elected officials at all levels – Congress, state, cities – to put the interests of the 99% ahead of the greed and profits of the fossil fuel industry and the 1% and take rapid action to move to zero greenhouse gas emissions and transition to 100% clean, renewable energy.”
The Green Party also criticized Democrats, saying, “while Trump and the GOP are climate deniers, the Democrats are climate delayers.” The party specifically pointed to recent decisions by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, including her approval of the Iroquois gas pipeline expansion, delayed and weakened congestion pricing in New York City, and support for nuclear energy and carbon capture, as examples of insufficient climate policies.
Joey Naham, a Green Party national co-chair, further emphasized the party’s “ecosocialist Green New Deal” as a solution to both climate concerns and economic inequality. “Our transition to 100% clean energy will be based on community, worker and public ownership as well as democratic control of our energy system, rather than maximizing profits for energy corporations, banks and hedge funds,” Naham stated. “We need to treat clean energy as a human right and a common good.”
To fund a transition to renewable energy, the Green Party proposes cutting military spending by up to 75%, implementing a robust carbon tax, holding polluters financially accountable, and increasing taxes on the wealthy.
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