Why the Best New Deal Is a Green New Deal

Energized Democrats are learning from their activist base that a sustainable and just environmental plan is not only good policy, it’s good politics.

As government leaders, environmental experts, and concerned citizens from around the world gathered last week in San Francisco at the Global Climate Action Summit, a message has emerged from progressive activists: Action on climate change is about more than just power plants or temperature goals. The climate movement has become a powerful political force, with tens of thousands of people from across America’s largest cities and smallest communities calling for an end to the unsustainable use of fossil fuels—but now the call includes plans that create jobs and address the possible disproportionate effects on marginal and at-risk communities. Progressive politicians are following their lead, increasingly realizing that the only way to equitably meet the challenge of a clean-energy revolution is a 21st-century economy that guarantees clean air and water, modernizes national infrastructure, and creates high-quality jobs.
   ...more

Ken Notes: Here is why the political arena will screw this up! There is a potential green, environmentally friendly, economically viable, business friendly economy out there. But my belief is that political forces on both sides will listen to the small but loud groups advocating on the fringe and ignore the middle where Nirvana actually exists. On one side mandates and penalties will alienate business on the other deregulation and lack of enforcement will alienate those advocating for the environment. This will result in us yoyoing our way into the future.

There is good news, businesses and energy producers are realizing that new technologies are making energy efficiency and sustainability good for their bottom line. If government could step back or even better yet facilitate growth in these new technologies we would see real progress and even a sustainable future. Alas that has not been our track record and while I will jump up and down and continue to point out that compromise will move us forward I see a yoyoing future for some time to come. Let me know why I am wrong...