A Message From the Future With Alexandria Ocasio Cortez AOC

Summary

This script recounts the journey from the diverse Congress of 2019 to the transformative Green New Deal era. It highlights the early climate warnings, Exxon Mobil's duplicity, and the corporate denial campaigns that stalled action. The narrative pivots to the 2020s, detailing the Green New Deal's ambitious legislation, societal transformation, and the shift towards universal rights. It showcases how the nation rallied to combat climate change, creating jobs, restoring ecosystems, and redefining societal values. The story culminates with the protagonist's successor, Ilyana, embodying the Green New Deal's legacy.

Takeaways

• 🚄 The speaker reflects on their journey as a freshman in the most diverse Congress in 2019, highlighting the inspiration it brought to young people.
• 🌱 The Green New Deal was introduced as a transformative plan to address climate change and economic inequality, despite initial skepticism.
• ⏳ Exxon Mobil's early knowledge of climate change in the 1970s and subsequent denial campaigns are criticized for contributing to inaction.
• 🌍 The urgency of climate action is underscored by the 12-year deadline set by scientists in 2018 to halve emissions to avoid catastrophic consequences.
• 🏭 The script describes a shift in American policy and infrastructure, with a focus on renewable energy and a national smart grid.
• 👷‍♀️ A labor shortage during the transformation is mentioned, with a need for workers in various green initiatives, including AmeriCorps and retrofitting buildings.
• 🌿 The importance of indigenous knowledge in environmental restoration is highlighted, with a focus on projects like wetland restoration.
• 🏡 The script touches on societal changes, including universal childcare and the revaluation of traditionally underpaid work, like teaching and caregiving.
• 🌊 The script acknowledges the ongoing challenges of climate disasters, such as Hurricane Sheldon, and the importance of early action.
• 🗳️ The story concludes with a narrative of political engagement, as the speaker's successor, Ilyana, runs for office in a new era of publicly funded campaigns.

Q & A

What was significant about the Congress in 2019 when the speaker first started commuting?

The Congress in 2019 was the most diverse in history up to that point, which was a critical time and inspired the children in the community to see politicians who reflected them.

What was the Green New Deal's main goal?

The Green New Deal aimed to save the planet by transforming the economy and addressing the climate crisis, which included ambitious legislation to change how people lived and worked.

What did Exxon Mobil do in response to their own research on global warming?

Exxon Mobil, despite knowing about the effects of burning fossil fuels from their own research, did not change their business models or invest in renewables. Instead, they spent millions to create doubt and denial about climate change.

What was the impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico?

Hurricane Maria in 2017 destroyed Puerto Rico, causing a loss of life and infrastructure comparable to the 9/11 attacks, highlighting the urgent need for climate action.

What was the '12 years left' warning given by the world's leading climate scientists?

The scientists declared an emergency, stating that there were 12 years left to cut emissions in half to prevent hundreds of millions of people from facing food and water shortages, poverty, and death.

What were some of the key policies introduced during the decade of the Green New Deal?

Key policies included Medicare for all, a Federal jobs guarantee, a public option with dignified living wages, and a national smart grid, among others.

How did the labor shortage during the Green New Deal era affect the community?

The labor shortage led to opportunities for young people from the community, including the speaker's acquaintance Ileana, to participate in climate restoration and infrastructure projects.

What role did indigenous communities play in the ecological transformation during the Green New Deal?

Indigenous communities offered their generational expertise to guide the healing of the land, filling gaps in knowledge and contributing to the ecological transformation.

What was the outcome of the societal changes brought about by the Green New Deal?

The societal changes led to a modern, wealthy, and humane society that committed to universal rights like healthcare and meaningful work for all, reducing fear and fostering a shared purpose.

How did Ileana's career evolve after her initial work with AmeriCorps?

Ileana's career evolved from restoring wetlands with AmeriCorps to working as a solar plant engineer, and eventually focusing on raising the next generation as part of the universal child care initiative.

What legacy did the Green New Deal leave for future generations, as exemplified by Ileana's political career?

The Green New Deal left a legacy of environmental and social progress, with Ileana running for office in 2028 and occupying the seat once held by the speaker, symbolizing the impact of the Green New Deal on future generations.

Outlines

00:00

🚄 Journey to a Green New Deal

The speaker reminisces about their first commute to Washington D.C. in 2019 as a freshman in the most diverse Congress. They reflect on the inspiration children felt seeing politicians who represented them. The speaker discusses the Green New Deal and the initial fear and skepticism it faced. They recount the history of climate change awareness, starting with a 1977 presentation by James Black, an Exxon Mobil scientist, about the effects of fossil fuels. The speaker criticizes Exxon for not acting on their own research and instead funding climate change denial. They highlight the urgency of action with the 2018 warning from climate scientists about the need to halve emissions within 12 years. The speaker discusses the transformative policies of the Green New Deal, including Medicare for all and a federal jobs guarantee, aimed at both economic and environmental justice. They also mention the labor shortage during the construction of a national smart grid and the involvement of the community, including young people from their neighborhood.

05:01

🌱 The Transformation: From Disaster to Dignity

The narrative shifts to the story of Ileana, who after college, worked with AmeriCorps to restore wetlands in Louisiana. She was part of a union that included transitioning oil workers, who were retrained to plant mangroves. Ileana later became a solar plant engineer and eventually focused on the universal child care initiative, reflecting the value placed on caring professions. The speaker discusses the societal changes brought about by the Green New Deal, including a shift towards universal rights like healthcare and meaningful work, leading to a less fearful and more humane society. They mention the natural disasters that occurred, such as Hurricane Sheldon in Florida, and how the early actions on climate change were crucial. The speaker concludes with Ileana's political career, elected in 2028 after a period of publicly funded campaigns, and the pride they feel in her as a representative of the Green New Deal's values.

Keywords

💡Green New Deal

The Green New Deal is a proposed package of U.S. legislation that aims to address climate change and economic inequality. It's a central theme in the script, symbolizing a transformative vision for the future. The script mentions launching the 'decade of the Green New Deal' which led to a flurry of legislation aimed at a social and ecological transformation to save the planet.

💡Global Warming

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, especially the increase of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. In the script, global warming is discussed as a reality that Exxon Mobil and politicians were aware of, but chose to deny or downplay, contributing to the urgency of the Green New Deal.

💡Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons such as coal, oil, and natural gas that are extracted from the earth and used as fuels or raw materials for the chemical industry. The script discusses how burning fossil fuels leads to global temperatures rising, which is a key driver behind the need for the Green New Deal.

💡Renewables

Renewables refer to energy sources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. The script implies that there was a need to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, which is a critical part of the Green New Deal's strategy to combat climate change.

💡Emissions

Emissions refer to the release of pollutants or greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The script mentions the need to cut emissions in half within 12 years to prevent catastrophic consequences, highlighting the urgency of climate action.

💡Climate Bomb

The term 'climate bomb' is used metaphorically in the script to describe the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico, illustrating the immediate and severe consequences of climate change.

💡Social Transformation

Social transformation refers to profound changes in society's structure, values, and institutions. The script discusses the Green New Deal as a catalyst for social transformation, including universal rights like healthcare and meaningful work for all.

💡Universal Child Care Initiative

The Universal Child Care Initiative is a policy mentioned in the script that values the work of caring for others as a low-carbon job and pays real money to workers such as teachers and home health aides.

💡Indigenous Communities

Indigenous communities are groups that are the original inhabitants of a particular region. The script highlights their generational expertise in healing the land, which was crucial in guiding the ecological restoration efforts under the Green New Deal.

💡Publicly Funded Election Campaigns

Publicly funded election campaigns refer to a system where the government provides financial support for political campaigns, aiming to reduce the influence of private money in politics. The script mentions Ilyana running for office in the first cycle of such campaigns, indicating a shift towards a more equitable political process.

💡Labor Shortage

A labor shortage occurs when there are not enough workers to meet the demand for labor. The script describes a labor shortage during the early years of the Green New Deal as the country was building a national smart grid and retrofitting buildings, requiring more workers to meet the ambitious goals.

Highlights

The speaker reminisces about their first commute in 2019, highlighting the diversity and inspiration in the new Congress.

The importance of representation in politics is emphasized, with the speaker noting the impact on children seeing politicians who reflect them.

The speaker discusses the initial skepticism towards the Green New Deal, drawing a parallel to the fear of change in the face of a climate crisis.

A historical overview of climate change awareness begins with James Black's 1977 presentation on the effects of fossil fuels.

Exxon Mobil's early involvement in climate change research is mentioned, contrasting with their later denial campaigns.

James Hansen's 1988 testimony to Congress about the certainty of human-caused global warming is highlighted.

The speaker criticizes Exxon and other fossil fuel companies for ignoring their own research and funding climate change denial.

The devastating impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico is described, emphasizing the urgent need for climate action.

The United Nations' 2018 warning of 12 years to halve emissions is mentioned, setting a critical deadline for climate action.

The speaker reflects on the economic transformation needed, including addressing wealth inequality alongside climate change.

The Green New Deal is introduced as a comprehensive legislative response to both social and ecological crises.

The implementation of Medicare for all and a federal jobs guarantee as part of the Green New Deal's social programs.

The challenges of labor shortages during the rapid infrastructure development for a green economy are discussed.

The role of young people, like Ileana, in climate restoration work and the transition of oil workers to green jobs.

Indigenous communities' contributions to ecological restoration and climate adaptation strategies are recognized.

The societal shift towards valuing care work, including increased pay for teachers and domestic workers.

The speaker recounts the challenges faced during natural disasters, such as Hurricane Sheldon, and the importance of early action.

The transformation of American society into one that is modern, wealthy, and humane, with a focus on universal rights.

Ileana's journey from climate restoration work to running for office, embodying the spirit of the Green New Deal.

The speaker concludes with a call to action, emphasizing the power of imagination and courage in shaping the future.

Transcripts

ah the bullet train from New York to

DC's it always brings me back to when I

first started making this commute in

2019 I was a freshman in the most

diverse Congress in history up to that

point it was a critical time I'll never

forget the children in our community

they were so inspired to see this new

class of politicians who reflected them

navigating the halls of power it's often

said you can't be what you can't see and

for the first time they saw themselves I

think there was something similar with a

green new deal we knew that we needed to

save the planet and that we had all the

technology to do it but people were

scared they said it was too big too fast

not practical I think that's because

they just couldn't picture it yeah

anyways I'm getting ahead of myself

let's start with how we got here 1977

New York a senior scientist named James

black made a presentation about how

burning fossil fuels could eventually

lead to global temperatures rising four

or five degrees Fahrenheit within two

years one of the world's biggest super

tankers was outfitted with a

state-of-the-art lab to measure co2 in

the ocean gathering more data about

global warming guess who was doing all

of this research Exxon Mobil the oil and

gas company oh yeah Exxon knew this

whole time as did our politicians ten

years later James Hansen NASA's top

climate scientist told Congress he was

99% certain that global warming was

happening and caused by humans that was

1988 the year before I was even born

so did Exxon listen to the science

including their own did they change

business models invest in renewables no

the opposite they knew and they doubled

down they and others spent millions

setting up a network of lobby groups and

think tanks to create doubt and denial

about climate change it was an effort

designed to attack and dispute the very

kind of science they themselves had been

doing and it worked

politicians went to bat for

so fuels and these massive corporations

kept digging and mining drilling and

fracking like there was no tomorrow

America became the biggest producer and

consumer of oil in the world fossil fuel

companies made hundreds of billions

while the public paid the lion's share

to clean up their disasters we lost a

generation of time we'll never get back

entire species will never get back

natural wonders gone forever and in 2017

Hurricane Maria destroyed the place

where my family was from Puerto Rico it

was like a climate bomb it took as many

American lives as 9/11 and in the next

year

when I was elected to Congress the

world's leading climate scientists

declared another emergency they told us

that we had 12 years left to cut our

emissions in half or hundreds of

millions of people would be more likely

to face food and water shortages poverty

and death 12 years to change everything

how we got around how we fed ourselves

we made her stuff how we lived and

worked everything the only way to do it

was to transform our economy which we

already knew was broken since the vast

majority of wealth was going to just a

small handful of people and most folks

were falling further and further behind

it was a true turning point

lots of people gave up they said we were

doomed but some of us remembered as a

nation we've been in peril before the

Great Depression World War two we knew

from our history how to pull together to

overcome impossible odds and at the very

least we owed it to our children to try

the wave began when Democrats took back

the house in 2018 and then the Senate

and the White House in 2020 and launched

the decade of the green New Deal

a flurry of legislation that kicked off

our social and ecological transformation

to save the planet it was the kind of

swing for the fence ambition we need

finally we were entertaining solutions

on the scale of the crises we faced

without leaving anyone behind that

included Medicare for all the most

popular social program in American

history we also introduced the Federal

jobs guarantee a public option including

dignified living wages for worms funnily

enough the biggest problem in those

early years was a labor shortage we're

building a national smart grid

retrofitting every building in America

putting trains like this one all across

the country we needed more workers that

group of kids from my neighborhood were

right in the middle of it all especially

this one girl Ileana her first job out

of college was with AmeriCorps climate

restoring wetlands and bayous in coastal

Louisiana most of her friends were in

her Union including some oil workers in

transition they took apart old pipelines

and got to work planting mangroves with

the same salary and benefits of course

when it came to healing the land we had

huge gaps in our knowledge

luckily indigenous communities offered

generational expertise to help guide the

way

Ilyana got restless tried her hand as a

solar plant engineer for a while but

eventually made her career in raising

the next generation as part of the

universal child care initiative as it

turns out caring for others is valuable

low-carbon work and we started paying

real money to folks like teachers

domestic workers and home health aides

those were years of massive change and

not all of it was good when hurricane

Sheldon hit southern Florida parts of

Miami went underwater for the last time

but as we battled the floods fires and

droughts we knew how lucky we were to

have started acting when we did and we

didn't just change the infrastructure we

changed how we did things we became a

society that was not only modern and

wealthy but dignified and humane too by

committing to universal rights like

health care and meaningful work for all

we stopped being so scared of the future

we stopped being scared of each other

and we found our shared purpose Ilyana

heard the call to and in 2028 she ran

for office in the first cycle of

publicly funded election campaigns and

now she occupies the seat that I once

held I couldn't be more proud of her a

true child of the green New Deal

when I think back to my first term in

Congress writing that old school and

track in 2019 all of this was still

ahead of us and the first big step was

just closing our eyes and imagining it

we can be whatever we have the courage

to see

[Music]

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