By Emily Mussio Marquez
Fossil fuel emissions are the number one driving force behind climate change. Although Nevada state lawmakers recently passed a bill requiring state utilities to get 50% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030, these measures are too little, too late.
With the Green New Deal, electricity would be sourced from 100% renewable and zero-emissions power by 2030, meaning a complete phase out of fossil fuels. In addition, those companies would be held accountable for the damage they have caused.
The city’s response to the climate crisis must be commensurate with the scale of the problem. The Green New Deal would upgrade the nation’s infrastructure, making it resilient and sustainable. It would also provide millions of people jobs dedicated to preservation and sustainability. To ensure a just transition for workers and frontline communities, the plan includes expanding affordable housing, implementing a federal jobs guarantee and putting the power grid in democratic hands.
Without profound change, Las Vegas risks becoming an uninhabitable city. With the increased frequency of heat waves, the city is already becoming intolerable for many. The Green New Deal is the most holistic, transformative and redistributive plan to tackle the climate crisis. And that is precisely what this city and the nation needs.