Introduction
Amidst stiff competition in a world that has become a global village, resource management has been a challenge to many countries and international companies; hence, there is an obligation for sound energy strategies. In addition, social inequality, poverty, and environmental degradation pose a threat to an already vulnerable universe; thus, there is a need for a profound practical and tenable clean energy (Aronoff et al., 2019).
Faced with the Great Depression, the US created the New Deal as a way of curbing the already exacerbated economic disaster. Consequently, depression was contained, although there were many who doubted whether the deal would succeed. Recent events have led to a new energy proposal – the New Green Deal, which consists of a plethora of economic stimulus proposals by the US to address economic inequality and climate change.
In addition, Aronoff et al. (2019) assert that reducing emissions from carbon and fossils is the best way to defeat the big oil companies hence making a change for pure, clean energy. This paper examines the clean energy revolution as the main tenet in the New Green Deal and its importance to climate change as highlighted by different experts.
The Components of Clean Energy
Although it is a replica of the 1929 New Deal, the New Green Deal (NGD) is synonymous with clean energy revolution. It addresses two main tenets that are integral to global sustainability, climate change, and redressing socio-economic inequalities. In addition, the early New Deal had tackled economic recession while neglecting other pressing environmental concerns, and as a result, the New Green Deal was unveiled.
According to Bassetti (2019), the NGD has an economic stimulus package and other programs geared towards the eradication of geographical socio-economic and environmental hazards. The author argues that if these challenges are not addressed in a timely manner, they are likely to exacerbate disasters (Bassetti, 2019). According to the United Nations Development Program head, Achim Steiner, the New Green Deal is meant to create jobs and replace oil dependence (Doyle, 2020). Further, it will develop business opportunities in clean and renewable energy industries.
While mentioning the futility of oil dependency, the UNDP head has reiterated the need for countries to change their energy requirements. They ought to shift their focus to the wind and clean solar energy as opposed to the overdependency on oil and fossil fuels; thus, the energy revolution is needed (Doyle, 2020).
Following the April 2020 oil crunch due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many economies have crumbled because of the fluctuation of oil prices. Further, the failure of nuclear power to be a source of safe and clean energy, as envisaged early, has led to the need to repeal it with new energy solutions (Doyle, 2020). To this end, the new energy to replace the sources is feasible and viable through the implementation of the NGD.
Importance of Clean Energy Revolution
Around 200 countries have committed to climate change, thereby signing an agreement in 2015 in Paris. Among other objectives, the accord aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions to zero towards the end of this century. This is an important step to the limit of ever-increasing temperatures due to heatwaves, powerful storms, wildfires, and rising seas as linked by scientists.
As Doyle (2020) states, to attain this, an investment estimated to a tune of 130 trillion US dollars is projected to boost businesses by creating an estimated 42 million jobs in the clean energy sector. Further, the energy revolution or transition into clean energy is meant to reduce air pollution and climate change that cause death to millions of people yearly (Doyle, 2020). Therefore, it is paramount for the New Green Deal to be adopted and implemented in order to realize the envisaged new energy.
Moreover, even though fossil fuels have been deemed as the main source of energy in the world for over two centuries, on its awake, it has left unprecedented environmental degradation. As a result, carbon dioxide emissions have hit the highest level ever seen in the atmosphere, only registered five million years ago. Consequently, the energy sector is the highest carbon emitter. It accounts for 35 percent of emission of carbon dioxide that result from oil, coal, and natural gas burning (Bassetti, 2019).
However, according to Climate foresight, energy evolution is not premised on the prevention of climate calamities alone, but also benefits accrued to clean energy and other ancillary gains. These include health benefits, change to renewable energy sources, hence becoming less import dependent, especially for those countries not producing oil (Bassetti, 2019). As a result, geopolitical wrangles are avoided as countries become self-sustaining in energy production.
Proponents of the Clean Energy Revolution
There are various parties that are involved in the clean energy campaign. These include, among others, politicians, environmentalists, international organizations, and academicians. In addition, research has found that political leaders hold the key to the implementation of the new deal. Consequently, leaders have been urged to shun the use of fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy. In addition, they should ensure that provision of houses and public transport is carbon-free (Aronoff et al., 2019).
Further, a green deal in the US will lead to the empowerment of climate justice groups throughout the world. Besides, Rogers (2010) highlights how consumers in the US buy organic food while unknowingly funding big farms who defile and eradicate forests for food production in developing countries.
According to her, governments are not committed to environmental conservation, and NGOs who advocate for environmental and clean energy do not have the financial and political power required to bring change (Rogers, 2010). For the realization of the new energy revolution, there is a need for a whole overhaul of green approaches and change of operation by big farms.
Similarly, it has been highlighted by experts that due to the global capitalist economy, people cannot deal with the imminent climate crisis they face (Rogers, 2010). This is because the governments favor big companies by giving them subsidies, although they pollute the environment. However, since people are living in such an environment, there is a short span of time available to address climate change (Triantafyllou, 2019).
Further, there is a need to choose between putting nature and people first before profits by countries. Therefore, countries have to choose against the dictates of the system they live in (Rogers, 2010). The US Democratic Representative Cortez’s ideas with regards to the Green Deal should be supported. Specifically, the advocation for mass resource mobilization, innovative financing involving banks, and high taxes for corporations (Triantafyllou, 2019). This will translate to a caring country for people around the world.
In addition, many activists assert that climate change is the main challenge facing the 21st century, and it is an immediate problem that needs a solution in the present but not in the next decade. Paul et al. (2019) highlight that if regulations and taxes are implemented effectively to lower carbon emissions, this will enhance the economy.
To tackle climate change, the country needs to change its approach from orthodox policies to a rapid carbon-neutral approach economy that will see public spending clean energy that in turn will increase wages in addition to living conditions. Therefore, there is a correlation between the government and the implementation of the new deal to realize clean energy.
On the contrary, there are those who feel that the clean energy campaign is unlikely to succeed. McCollum (2019), while contributing to climate change, asserts that there are limitations to the deal by refuting Representative Cortez’s Green New Deal pact. He says that none of the proposals will work unless it is pinned to an eco-revolutionary change. Furthermore, there is no goodwill from big corporations (McCollum, 2019). He gives an example of Exxon-Mobil, which insists on burning and extracting their fossil fuels even though the company is aware of the disastrous nature of such an undertaking (McCollum, 2019).
Again, subsidies for fuel exploration are in effect now; thus, making a mockery of climate change proponents. Moreover, Leonard (2010), while reviewing Ms. Rogers’ book, Green Gone Wrong, in the New York Times, refutes her sentiments. McCollum (2019) suggests that sentiments in the book can be viewed as those from someone opposing climate change and clean energy for Americans. Therefore, Ms. Rogers’ attack on environmentalists acts as ammunition for the opponents of climate change such as Glenn Beck and Limbaugh. Therefore, it is impossible to implement and realize some of the proposals.
In conclusion, there is a correlation between the New Deal and the New Green Deal. While the first proposal was implemented in 1929 to cushion Americans against the Great Depression, the current deal is meant to buffer not only the US but also the whole world against imminent disasters. The Americans were able to navigate through economic challenges due to various proposals that were implemented during the time. In addition, the energy revolution is geared toward a universe free of greenhouse gas emissions and clean energy propelled by activists and countries advocating for climate change through the New Green Deal.
References
Aronoff, K., Battistoni, A., Cohen, D. A., & Riofrancos, T. (2019). A planet to win: Why we need a Green New Deal. Jacobin.
Bassetti, F. (2019). Clean energy revolution? The numbers make sense. Climate Foresight. Web.
Doyle, A. (2020). UN development chief calls for green shift away from ‘irrational’ oil dependence. Climate Home News. Web.
Leonard, D. (2010). ‘Green gone wrong’: Can capitalism save the planet?The New York Times. Web.
McCollum, J. (2019). Limits of the Green New Deal. MR Online. Web.
Paul, M., Fremstad, A., & Mason, J. W. (2019). Decarbonizing the US Economy. The Roosevelt Institute. Web.
Rogers, H. (2010). Green gone wrong: How our economy is undermining the environmental revolution. Scribner.
Triantafyllou, V. (2019). John Bellamy foster on the ‘Green New Deal’. Climate & Capitalism. Web.