Leading Progressive Organizations Back Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Markey’s Green New Deal Resolution; Plan to Assemble Unprecedented Coalition.

WASHINGTON - Following Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey’s release early Thursday morning of a Green New Deal resolution, leading labor, economic justice, racial justice, indigenous, environmental, and community organizations announced their joint support for the Green New Deal Resolution.

“These organizations coming together to campaign for this resolution shows the momentum behind the Green New Deal and its ability to bring together an unprecedented political coalition,” said Stephen O’Hanlon, Sunrise Movement Co-founder and Communications Director. “We're planning over 600 Congressional office visits this week to kick start our campaign to build the political and public support for the Green New Deal, which will include getting thousands of organizations signed on to back the resolution.”

Statements from supporting organizations can be found below, including: Sunrise Movement, Justice Democrats, 32BJ SEIU, Green for All, 1199SEIU, Center for Popular Democracy, People’s Action, Working Families Party, Dream Corps, Presente.org, Demos, Sierra Club, 350.org, CREDO, Bold, Organic Consumers Association, Honor the Earth, Seeding Sovereignty, American Sustainable Business Council President, and NextGen.

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“In 2018, young people put the Green New Deal on the national agenda. The historic support for this resolution, especially among 2020 contenders, shows how far the movement has shifted the political conversation. The Green New Deal is now a litmus test for progressive leadership in 2019. Any politician who wants to be taken seriously on climate and earn the support of young people needs to support Ocasio-Cortez and Markey’s resolution.” — Varshini Prakash, Sunrise Movement co-founder and Executive Director

“Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal represents an earthquake in the Democratic Party and American politics where a working class Latina bartender from the Bronx is now proposing and leading the most serious solution to rewrite America’s social contract and stave off climate disaster. Any Democrat running for President who wants to be taken seriously on climate and economic policy needs to back Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal resolution. — Alex Rojas, Justice Democrats Executive Director

“For labor unions like ours, climate change is an environmental issue, an economic opportunity and a political challenge that we know can destabilize our communities. This is an opportunity to tackle economic inequality, re-industrialize America with a green economy, with jobs that, with the right training, can provide career ladders for many low-wage workers who struggle to afford the high cost of living. For the first time, our elected officials recognize that our climate and economic crises are both intertwined and can only be solved with bold and effective government action. We reside in coastal cities that have been flooded by storms like Hurricanes Sandy and Maria, so we know this kind ambitious, large scale vision to reduce greenhouse gasses, switch to renewable energies is both doable and indispensable.” — Hector Figuero, 32BJ SEIU President

"Communities of color, who are the most impacted by climate pollution, and low-income families, who spend the highest percentage of their incomes on energy and transportation, have the most to gain from a Green New Deal. That's why Green For All is proud to support Representative Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Markey in introducing a new resolution for Congress to act now and develop a Green New Deal that uplifts all Americans." — Michelle Romero, Green For All National Director

“As healthcare workers and responsible citizens, we understand the importance of being good stewards of our natural resources. We also understand the necessity of ensuring that working men and women have the tools and training necessary to succeed in a changing, global economy. Our communities are becoming all too familiar with the devastating effects of hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, and other extreme weather patterns and events that claim innocent lives, and cause physical damage to buildings, roadways, and other important pieces of our infrastructure. We applaud Congressmember Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Markey for taking a stand to protect our planet from irreparable damage, while fighting to create good, family-sustaining jobs that will help protect working people and our communities for future generations.” — Maria Castañeda, 1199SEIU Secretary-Treasurer

"Our network is proud to endorse the Green New Deal because we know that now is the time to be bold and unapologetic in our demand for solutions to rampant economic insecurity and the climate crisis. The Green New Deal helps build climate resilience in communities of color who have been most impacted by climate change, and ensures that Black and Latinx people will have direct access to good, family-supporting jobs in the new green economy. " — Jennifer Epps-Addison, Center for Popular Democracy Network President and Co-Executive Director.     

“Rarely has an idea like the Green New Deal exploded into political consciousness so rapidly and I am excited to see this new resolution moving forward. Our country no longer has the luxury of time to debate the best strategies to reduce energy prices and economically help people, or what the right ecology for our planet might be. We need immediate action and bold leadership. I am grateful that Representative Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Markey are taking this important step. It is time we deliver fully on the promise of a green economy that provides increased work, wealth, and health for cash-strapped, economically fearful families.” — Vien Truong, Dream Corps President

"Famed labor leader and trade unionist Eugene Debs once said, 'The earth is for all the people. That is the demand.’ We couldn’t agree more. Clean air, fresh water, and safe housing are fundamental human rights, which are under constant threat from the unrelenting climate crisis. Families across the country deserve to live in safe communities, free from climate devastation and harmful fossil fuel production; and we deserve a Congress who is not afraid to protect our climate and all the people. A strong Green New Deal would set us on a path toward the world we want and need.” — Matt Nelson, Presente.org Executive Director

"Finally we have real momentum around a solution that's big and bold enough to meet the scale of our current crisis. The Green New Deal could save our planet and transform our economy. A group of brave young leaders sparked this movement, and now working class people from racial, generational, and geographic differences are coming together to make their vision a reality."  Maurice Mitchell, Working Families Party National Director.

At a time when communities are already facing the real life impacts of climate change, when inequality is at record proportions, and America is falling further behind in the potential of an energy revolution - this is our chance to move the kind of legislation that could reshape the future of the United States. It also will ensure that these same communities are first in line to reap the benefits of the economic opportunities harnessed by a game-changing commitment to ending all extraction and dirty energy, and moving full throttle toward 100 percent renewables. — George Goehl People’s Action Director

Climate change poses an existential challenge to the planet, accelerated by a coalition of corporations, donors, and policymakers who have adopted a willful blindness toward these dangers to our communities and our planet. Combating climate change will require a radical transformation of our economy and our democracy, dramatically shifting our economic investments and empowering grassroots communities to have a stronger voice in our political system. The Green New Deal can accomplish this while meeting the needs of our most vulnerable communities - supporting health and resiliency, equitable renewable energy investment, inclusive job creation programs and community control over policy decisions. The Green New Deal not only addresses the urgent crisis of the moment, but also expresses a bold new progressive vision that is sweeping the country. — K. Sabeel Rahman, Demos President

"These Green New Deal resolutions offer a bold plan to tackle the climate crisis and inequality -- two of the defining crises of our time -- at the speed and scale that science and justice demand. The Sierra Club applauds Senator Markey and Representative Ocasio-Cortez for outlining a Green New Deal vision that would create millions of high-paying jobs, counteract systemic injustices, ensure access to clean air and water, and support community-led efforts to prevent climate disasters. ” — Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director

The Green New Deal is a critical opportunity to stand up to fossil fuel billionaires while kickstarting a just transition to renewable energy and creating millions of family-sustaining jobs. For too long, we’ve seen legislative action fail to live up to the scale and scope of the climate crisis. We need bold policies that address climate change as an issue that is deeply rooted in health, prosperity, and justice for communities everywhere.” — May Boeve, Executive Director of 350.org

"A Green New Deal that helps this country rapidly transition to a renewable future is the only way we can hope to tackle climate change. All communities and workers must have a chance to join in building that future, especially those negatively impacted by, and historically disenfranchised in, today's economy. Acting on this resolution isn't the only step we need to take to reach that future, but it's a giant step and we need to take it now." — Brandy Doyle, CREDO Campaign Manager.

“Bold works with family farmers and ranchers who confront climate change every single day implementing solutions ranging from biofuels to installing wind and solar. Fossil fuel corporations have abused eminent domain for their private gain hurting farms and increasing climate change. Rural communities are proud to be at the table to ensure the Green New Deal lifts up all of our families on the frontlines and we stand with other communities like Tribal Nations ready to provide solutions for the climate crisis facing our nation.” — Jane Kleeb, Bold President

“Organic Consumers Association backs this resolution because it has the potential to both drastically reduce emissions and draw down and sequester carbon already in the atmosphere. The Green New Deal is the only solution that matches the scale of our multiple crises, including global warming, corporate control of our food system, income inequality and the general decline of our environment and our democracy.” — Ronnie Cummins, Organic Consumers Association International Director

"If we are to reorient ourselves from this disastrous course fueled by greed, we must steward our country with brave, diverse voices. Our trajectory is not immobile, but inertia must be overcome. Renewable energy by and for employed people is what we can build, together. Food systems that feed people and not climate change must be a priority. As future ancestors, we back the Green New Deal ten year plan for action today on climate, justice and for thriving communities that will set a course for generations to come." — Janet MacGillivray, Seeding Sovereignty Executive Director

“The ‘Green New Deal’ is yet another wake-up call to take action now in order to prevent global heating from exceeding to 1.5C and to reduce greenhouse gases like carbon from oil pipelines by 40-60 percent in the next 10 years. That’s not a lot of time! The ‘Green New Deal’ legislation will create real long-term jobs, replace aging infrastructure, protect volatile ecosystems and move us away from the extractive fossil fuel industry and other harmful and antiquated processes.” — Winona LaDuke, Honor the Earth Co-founder and Executive Director

“The Green New Deal offers a bold, new opportunity to build our nation’s infrastructure and tap American business innovation, while also addressing climate change and broadening economic prosperity. Investing in clean manufacturing, energy efficiency, renewable energy, quality water, transportation and agricultural systems will create more resilient communities, better jobs and a thriving economy. ” — David Levine, American Sustainable Business Council President.

"Our society needs to turn dramatically and immediately towards the shared goals of environmental justice, broad-based prosperity and health. The Green New Deal is that turn. While fighting the ravages of climate change, the Green New Deal simultaneously creates a more just and prosperous country. It proves that we can build a system where all Americans benefit from clean air and water, good paying jobs and the infrastructure of a sustainable future. Every day that we delay the transition to a sustainable future is an act of injustice against the most vulnerable members of our society." - Tom Steyer, NextGen America President