Thanks for this great guidance Phil.
Here is a blog by WRI’s Dan Lashof on our thinking about what needs to be in a GND:
https://www.wri.org/blog/2019/02/5-things-look-green-new-deal
Christina DeConcini, Esq.
Director of Government Affairs
World Resources Institute
WRI.org
Direct: +1 202-729-7738 | Mobile: +1 301-512-9576
cdeconcini@wri.org | Twitter: @worldresources
WRI is a global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being.
Brazil | China | Europe | India | Indonesia | United States
From: cdp@groups.b-team.org <cdp@groups.b-team.org>
On Behalf Of Philip Newell
Sent: Monday, February 4, 2019 9:30 AM
To: Combined Defense Project <cdp@groups.b-team.org>
Subject: [cdp] Message guidance for Green New Deal et al
Bumping the below update with some top-level messaging guidance CN’s worked up to try and make sure GND vs carbon tax doesn’t become the latest iteration of the media’s beloved “Dems in disarray” narrative…
As always feel free to adapt and modify to suit your needs, and let me know if you have feedback!
Overarching Messaging on the Green New Deal, a Carbon Tax, and Everything In Between.
With record numbers of Americans recognizing how fossil fuels are driving climate change and making extreme weather worse and more frequent, there is a growing demand for federal policy responses.
From the progressive Green New Deal to a more conservative and market-based Carbon Dividend proposal, the jockeying for position has begun in the lead-up to a potentially more climate policy-friendly political environment post-2020.
Here are a set of messages about the increasing array of policy options being considered:
-
The time for climate action is now. The
latest science reinforces the urgency to address climate change as our timeline for stopping
its worst impacts is short.
Though decades of fossil fuel-funded denial has long kept the public in doubt, the mounting evidence of the dangers of climate change are on our doorsteps, and the
public is finally recognizing the need to transition to renewable energy sources. Fortunately, building and operating new renewable energy plants is in some cases already cheaper than just operating older conventional
plants like coal and nuclear, and over 3 million people in the U.S. work in clean energy.
-
The question is: How? While most of the public understands the scientific consensus that human activity, primarily burning fossil fuels, is causing climate change, there are many different ideas about how best to reduce emissions. The fact that there
are proposals coming from the political right as well as left is more proof voters and policymakers alike know this challenge requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. After all, it’s political will, not technological feasibility, that stands in our way.
-
It’s “yes, and” not “either/or.” Right now, climate advocates are having a productive discussion about the benefits and challenges of these various proposals – ranging from a carbon tax to a Green New Deal and beyond. In fact, many of these ideas work
best when they work together, and putting a price on carbon is likely to be a key step in the clean energy transition regardless of the other policies put in place.
-
Solutions are popular: A majority of the public, both Republicans and Democrats, are united in a preference for clean energy over fossil fuels, as evidenced by wins in Congress renewing interest in climate action, policies taken up by newly elected Governors,
and more. And both a conservative price on carbon and the policies of a more liberal Green New Deal enjoy the support of
a majority of Americans.
-
We’re looking for leaders. Americans are demanding climate action from their leaders. Any serious candidate for President must offer a plan to address the climate crisis and lead the transition from fossil fuels to a renewable energy economy. This is
the only way to protect Americans from the harmful effects of climate change we’re already feeling today, a fact reflected by the numerous governors who ran and won on climate action in 2018.
-
We’re putting fairness first. Americans are increasingly recognizing that climate change and economic and social justice are intertwined, so the solutions need to be aimed at a just transition that address systemic problems. As leaders craft successful
climate policies, key elements must go beyond emissions reductions and include a combination of job creation and just transition for workers, economic growth, public benefits, and equity for low-income workers and communities, all of which must be clearly
communicated.
-
Debate isn’t disarray: That Americans are engaging in a healthy conversation about the many solutions required to overcome the climate crisis is incredibly encouraging. Debates about how to build a fossil fuel-free, clean energy economy are a critical
step in the right direction, and happening not a moment too soon. While pundits may be more accustomed to a top-down policy process, the bottom-up nature of the Green New Deal, being built by a diverse coalition, allows for a greater involvement of a variety
of stakeholders.
Americans are increasingly aware of the cost of burning fossil fuels, in terms of floods, fires, heatwaves, pests, disease and destruction. Policy options span the political spectrum, from
market-based taxes to the Green New Deal to the radically liberal idea of nationalizing the fossil fuel industry.
____________________________________________
1140 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 609
Washington DC 20036
There is a lot happening with the Green New Deal – more than I can fit in one email – but here is my attempt.
On the Hill
- The latest we are hearing is that AOC and Markey will introduce a resolution on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. NOTE: This is a resolution, not legislation. There has been some confusion
about this.
- It also looks like Merkley may sign on to the resolution, but my understanding from others who have spoken with his office is that this will not preclude him from working on his own
legislation. There are other offices considering their own legislation as well.
- The resolution from AOC and Markey will not reference fossil fuel infrastructure, subsidies, leasing, etc., or nukes. It also may not include agriculture. Some green groups are ok
with this, some less so.
Organizing
- 643 groups joined
a letter outlining what climate leg should look like as momentum builds for a Green New Deal, including Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Earth, Oil Change, Food and Water Watch, 350, Greenpeace, and Climate Justice Alliance.
- FOE, Oil Change, Food and Water Watch, 350, and Climate Hawks Vote are holding
a week of action next week (2/4-8) calling for a green new deal that: 1) phases out fossils and transitions to 100% renewables. 2) Decarbonizes transportation and agriculture. 3) Ensures a fair and just transition led by workers and communities. 4) Upholds
Indigenous rights. 5) Includes a national jobs guarantee. Activists will be holding local events, dropping petitions at district offices, calling Congress, and phone banking/text banking activists to call Congress. This week of action is NOT in support of
the resolution – the first ask is end fossils.
- Sunrise is holding distributed house parties to livesteam their Green New Deal strategy. They will mobilize around the AOC/Markey resolution.
Food and Agriculture
- There are a number of
blogs and opeds out this week on why you can’t tackle climate without addressing industrial agriculture, as well as food access and support for farm workers, including from
Blumenauer and
FOE.
- FOE is helping to convene food and ag groups to discuss a Green New Deal and work on a sign on letter.
Local Actions
- King County Washington passed a
resolution approving a moratorium on new fossil fuel infrastructure
- A coalition of local groups including the Oregon Just Transition Alliance, Portland African American Leadership Forum, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, NAACP of Lane County,
PCUN, Beyond Toxics, Unite Oregon, OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon, Rogue Climate, and others released an
Oregon Green New Deal that calls for:
- Phasing out fossil fuel infrastructure,
- Strong regulation for healthy, breathable air,
- 100% community-owned renewable energy,
- Climate-smart, sustainable farms and forests,
- Action to address transportation emissions (one of the largest sources of climate pollution in the state),
- Protecting communities already experiencing a changing climate, and
- Funding for jobs training, hiring, and infrastructure to support the changes called for in the plan.
Best,
Nicole Ghio
Friends of the Earth US
Fossil Fuels Program Manager
+1 510 900 8061
Skype/Twitter: nicoleghio
To unsubscribe from this list please go to
http://archives.simplelists.com
To unsubscribe from this list please go to
http://www.simplelists.com/confirm.php?u=xGHZGXNROgLwpavIl3fdIbrbnDoJ3Bbg