Yes, probably AIA should support the Green New Deal framework, but that doesn't mean we can't also support the HR 763, The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act which has bipartisan political support, reduces CO2 output by an estimated 40% in 12 years, creates an estimated 1.2 million jobs and returns all of the fees on fossil fuels to the households monthly.
https://citizensclimatelobby.org/energy-innovation-and-carbon-dividend-act/Time is of the essence, folks, and HR 763 sponsored by the Citizens' Climate Lobby has been working for years to get a bill that could garner the support necessary across the aisle which is getting close to possible reality. It seems foolhardy for AIA to NOT support it. If someone wants to argue, no we want to hold out for the GND which is only a "framework" at present, has no specifics and probably zero support on the Republican side of the aisle at the moment, it could be a long wait or never before our country finally takes a responsible step forward in combating climate change, sea level rise and potentially trillions of dollars of costs for extreme weather and other consequences.
I repeat, "Time is of the essence."
Here's an addendum proposal for our AIA statement of support for the Green New Deal for your consideration:
"AIA supports the framework of the Green New Deal concepts as future add ons to legislation addressing responsibly dealing with climate change and global warming such as HR 763 the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act that would reduce emissions by 40% in 12 years, create 1.2 million jobs and return all carbon fees to households monthly."
Yes, we can have our AIA cake and eat it too.
Dave Ashley
David C. Ashley
101 Bradford Lane, Syracuse, NY, 13224
c1-315-751-6382