Green New Deal is a realistic, radical ideal

For some (Nancy Pelosi), the idea of the Green New Deal is but a green dream, a fantasy with little connection to the real world of politics as we know it. Submitted as a resolution to both the United States House and Senate by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Markey, the Green New Deal is the most radical and realistic response to the climate disruptions that I have seen. It is a vision, not a plan.

If you believe in science, and if you have reviewed the most recent studies by the top climate scientists in the world, we are on a collision course with ourselves. The warnings could get no more dire.

I am grateful to live in the awakening state of New Mexico, under the leadership of our new governor who has decreed that we will follow the Paris Climate Agreement’s goals. I could not be more appreciative of a number of climate-driven bills, such as the Community Solar Act, Local Choice Electricity and a four-year moratorium on new fracking leases. These are examples of the Green New Deal.

There are mountains of reasons we will not meet the challenge. There are sobering economic restrictions on this vision. There are political challenges that seem insurmountable. But the planning and implementation of a Green New Deal may be just the dream we need to prevent the nightmare I see coming. JOHN MCLEOD LAS VEGAS, N.M.