Meet the Blue New Deal

In 2019 congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey co-sponsored the most ambitious climate legislation the United States had ever seen. Activists from all across the country made a prominent push to pass the Green New Deal proposal through the United States Senate. This proposal was unlike any other climate legislation to have been debated within the halls of Washington DC, with it directing an estimated $10 trillion towards redesigning the US economy. It would completely transform America, aiming for 100% clean energy by 2030 and ensuring solutions were centred around the everyday people on the frontlines of climate change. If passed, the resolution would put the world on a path to being able to mitigate the effects of climate change and avoiding the worst-case-scenarios described in the IPCC report. 

After the major mobilisation in the United States, campaigns and policy proposals taking the name of the Green New Deal sprung up all across the globe. In the U.K. the opposition political party, Labour, endorsed the proposal. Later that year, representatives from all across the political spectrum came out in support of the deal. In mainland Europe, the European Parliament proposed a less ambitious decarbonisation timeline under the name of the European Green New Deal, with the aim of carbon neutrality by 2050. The Green New Deal in South Korea resulted in a rush of climate regulations, ceasing investments in coal, establishing a Carbon Tax and aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

Despite being knocked out by the previous Republican majority, the Green New Deal acted as a catalyst for change all over the world. Finally, major legislation was making its way into legislative chambers and courts all over the globe. 

The proposal was ambitious, it would bring sweeping changes to the way America runs; from introducing universal health care to a job guarantee for those effected by the transition. 

For all the ambitiousness of the Green New Deal, it mentions the oceans only once. As Dr Ayana Elizabeth Johnson said, “There is a big blue gap in the Green New Deal.” 

Meet the Blue New Deal. 

Co-authored by Dr Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Maggie Thompson, this plan includes comprehensive investment and protection for the coastal waters and communities of the United States. 

Originally designed for the Warren 2020 campaign, the proposal was a huge milestone for ocean conservation. Now, more than ever, it needs to be central to Joe Biden’s plan to tackle climate change. 

For many people, the ocean is the definition of ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind.’ For years, it has been left out of policy proposals to tackle the climate crisis and the few attempts that have been made to protect and restore our waterways have been pitifully under-funded. It’s time for change. Biden has a unique opportunity to influence the policy surrounding climate change for the next decade, he must centre ocean-based climate solutions.

You may be wondering why all of this is necessary. Well, the ocean is in a state of crisis. It absorbs over 93% of the planet-warming greenhouse gases we produce, and we are only starting to see the effects that has on it. Disrupted migration patterns, sea level rise and bleached coral reefs are only the beginning if we don’t take immediate action. While the situation is dire, there is hope. The Blue New Deal would completely transform the way we interact and coexist with the waters that surround us. 

The proposal emphasises the need to restore our ‘blue economy’, investing in local fishermen (and fisherwomen) and the people who live on our coasts. A healthy and productive ocean are not mutually exclusive, in fact, protecting fisheries and coral reefs will only add to the capacity of the ocean to be profitable to the local people who rely on it. It’s about creating a system that advocates for the local people and not multinational corporations. The plan suggests that rebuilding community-based seafood markets will play an integral role in supporting and regenerating coastal communities. 

The plan also calls for billions of dollars’ worth of investment in regenerative ocean farming and fisheries. As climate change becomes more unpredictable and as ocean temperatures rise and acidification increases, ocean farmers need protection. It lays out ways in which it will ensure ocean farmers will be compensated for their contributions to fighting climate change. 

If passed this proposal would be transformative in the fight against climate change, a true opportunity to reinvent the way we interact with the ocean. With political infighting and entrenched partisanship being the norm within the halls of Congress, passing the Blue New Deal would be a long shot, but one worth fighting for. 

Did you enjoy this article? Take Action! 

Dr Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s Website: https://www.ayanaelizabeth.com/

Read – The Washington Post: Our oceans brim with climate solutions. We need a Blue New Deal. Read – Warren 2020: We Need A Blue New Deal For Our Oceans : https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/12/10/green-new-deal-has-big-blue-gap-we-need-protect-our-oceans/

Take Action – The Sunrise Movement: https://www.sunrisemovement.org/take-action/?ms=HowtoTakeActionwithSunrise

Take Action – Youth Climate Strike: https://strikewithus.org/

Take Action – Polluters Out: https://pollutersout.org/