A Green Economy
Decarbonization
We can not underestimate the urgency of decarbonizing our economy in line with what the best climate science is telling us. Human activity is warming the planet towards catastrophic ends. The good news is we can overcome this by unlocking our national creativity and capacity by investing in millions of good paying green jobs and new infrastructure that will improve our quality of life. As your Congressman we will relentlessly join progressives in making sure that we:
- Retrofit our public buildings and housing stock
- Bring high speed rail and better public transportation to the country
- Expand research & development in renewal technology and carbon capture
- Strengthen and expand our clean energy infrastructure and supply-chains
- Cultivate regenerative and urban agriculture
A Just Transition
Transforming our economy requires that we not only think big but also stay true to the principles of social and environmental justice. This campaign believes in leaving no one behind. It is not enough to simply have more renewable energy sources, we have to make sure that our new economy does not operate like the one that we leave behind. Our vision for a just transition involves:
- A Federal Job Guarantee to create local economies of care and sustainability
- Cancelling student debt and passing tuition free public higher education
- Public works and ecological restoration
- A National Public Arts Initiative
- Early retirement buyouts for fossil fuel workers
- Training, education, and support for workers
- Paid family leave
Economic Democracy
Our Constitution is premised on valuing democracy and civic engagement and yet our economy continues to favor the most powerful leading to a drop in most communities’ well-being and prosperity . A rigged economy has also compromised our political system, our cities, and our workplaces through the influence of private wealth. We can change this. As your Congressman we will democratize our economies to work for all of us by pushing for policies like:
- Campaign finance reform
- Public and postal banking
- Stronger labor unions
- Federal support for worker-cooperatives and employee ownership
- 21st century Antitrust to protect small businesses and consumers
- Regulate Wall Street and prosecute corruption
- Billionaire’s Tax
It’s Now or Never: Let’s Build a Green Economy
By Andres Bernal, Senior Policy Advisor
Urgency
Last month the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its official Working Group III report. It clearly states that the world has approximately 30 months for global greenhouse gas emissions to begin to fall in order to steer clear of the worst impacts of social-environmental disasters. From millions of climate refugees, devastating natural disasters, and increasingly deadly temperatures, we are running out of time. If we’re serious about leaving our children and future generations a stable planet while mitigating mass suffering in the here and now that is only going to get worse, we must step out of our collective paralysis and begin immediate action with a clear vision: A world beyond fossil fuels and systemic social-ecological harm.
I’m committed to:
- Transform our energy system to 100 percent renewable energy and create 20 million jobs needed to solve the climate crisis. We can do this. We can bring PV manufacturing and clean energy jobs to Denver, demonstrating the good paths available for a better future.
- Ensure a just transition for communities and workers, including fossil fuel workers. I am committed to well-being for all, including those who brought us to where we are today.
- Ensure justice for frontline communities, especially under-resourced groups, communities of color, Native Americans, people with disabilities, children and the elderly.
- Save American families money with investments in weatherization, public transportation, modern infrastructure and high-speed broadband.
- Commit to reducing emissions throughout the world and doing our fair share, providing $200 billion to the Green Climate Fund, rejoining the Paris Agreement, and reasserting the United States’ leadership in the global fight against climate change.
- Invest in conservation and public lands to heal our soils, forests, and prairie lands.
- End the greed of the fossil fuel industry and hold them accountable.
