Twelve Years to Live By Jamie Rubin

The human race has officially sent the entire world into the biggest quagmire of all time. The United Nations has declared that we have 12 years to get a grip on climate change before the world ends. Climate change is no longer something that can be denied because, according to the UN, if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced by at least 45% by 2030 the planet is doomed. 

Fortunately, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently devised a plan for the U.S. addressing climate change called the Green New Deal. In this plan, she outlines what steps must be taken by the U.S. in order to transition the country from fossil fuels to renewable resources by initiating large-scale infrastructure projects. In addition, it will establish many clean-energy jobs. According to an article from Business Insider, "Ocasio-Cortez's version of the plan calls for eventually meeting 100% of national power demand through renewable sources, eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, and guaranteeing a job to any citizen who wants to work," which would significantly reduce the worlds greenhouse effect considering the U.S.  is the second largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions as of 2015. However, her plan will not be able to go into effect until the Trump administration is out of office. 

Opponents may argue that this idea is far fetched or will cost far too much money but we cannot put a price on our planet. Drastic measures must be taken immediately in order to save our lives, the lives of our children, the ecosystem, and ultimately the entire planet. We only have 12 years. It's time to make a change. 

https://www.businessinsider.com/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-green-new-deal-2019-1

https://www.nj.com/opinion/2019/03/climate-change-is-here-nj-and-we-need-a-green-new-deal-environmentalist-says.html

https://www.ucsusa.org/global-warming/science-and-impacts/science/each-countrys-share-of-co2.html