Book Review: "The Green New Deal" By Jeremy Rifkin

Dare I say, money is the bottom line for the corporate conglomerates. Yet lives are at risk and their needs to be a compromise. We cannot continue on this path of destruction. We have to,"Wake Up America!"

While there's been movement on the idea that more needs to be done there's still plenty of reluctance especially from those with political agendas.

I live in an area that was built using coal. My grandparents worked in those mines and died from them.

I can tell you the last thing our area needs is to go back to being dependent on coal. It's dirty, it's deadly, it's plain wrong!

It's time to stop making excuses and begin to realize we have to preserve and tend to what we currently possess or risk losing it all together.

The current climate change and global phenomenons are here to stay. You cannot turn a blind eye to the increasing horror that's all around us. The oceans filled with plastics. The increasing warmer temperatures. The melting of the glaciers. The poor air quality with less restrictions in place for those like myself who are suffering with dyspnea and possibly lung cancer (test due in December.)

Why would anyone not wish to get on board?

Why should politics be a factor in the decision to save lives and save our planet from peril?
Why is it always about the bottom dollar?

In my area, we also have issues with not only the rain and flooding being so close to the Susquehanna River but also with water runoff. Sewage and stormwater drainage is now becoming a serious problem even for my children's high school. The problem is they are in a lower flood plain area, in which the water runs off the higher land in front of them, rolls down the hill, and goes directly unto their property. All that water must go somewhere and the storm drains simply can't handle it all resulting in flooding. That flooding is due in part to raw sewage. I don't know about you but that's not kosher nor cool. Here's the links to the devastation:https://wnep.com/2018/10/11/flooding-closes-holy-redeemer-high-school/
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/flooding-forces-closure-of-holy-redeemer-1.2396236
https://www.timesleader.com/news/721173/heavy-rain-floods-streets-causes-holy-redeemer-dismissal

Ironically, this isn't the only problem here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Luzerne County specifically Wilkes Barre Twp and surrounding areas have been the battle ground for tornadoes too.

I'm almost 47 yrs old and have never been in a tornado till recently when we were hit with not one but two in and around the surrounding area. I was going to see a movie with my mother when the Pittston tornado hit Feb 25, 2017 in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties resulting in EF2 damage.

https://www.weather.gov/bgm/pastSevereFebruary252017

I was at home when it hit us a second time resulting in further EF2 damage just one year later from the Pittston destruction. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2018/06/14/possible-tornado-leaves-path-of-unbelievable-destruction-in-pennsylvania/

While we have seen tornadoes here before over the years, I do not recall having so many in such a short amount of time as they are sadly becoming the new norm.
This is why the author stresses we need to take action. He's not just blowing the whistle --he's sounding the alarm.

So much is being altered, our landscapes are constantly changing, erosion of our beaches is a constant with rivers flowing out of their banks. 

Up till recently, I've never witnessed 'massive' ice jams in the Susquehanna River and I've lived near it for nearly 50 yrs but I can say with certainly it was one hell of a sight. https://wnep.com/2018/01/24/ice-jams-forming-on-streams-rivers-in-luzerne-county/

It's time to take action and stop denying the obvious! If you've not experienced such natural disasters count yourself lucky. We can and should be doing more and this author illustrates the dire consequences if we don't start to look to our future and revitalize our bases.

The time is now. Action is needed. Our planet is in peril.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the poor are the most vulnerable with older communities that lack funding for repairs and upgrades, lack proper health services, and lack remediation and adaptation that's required.
It can be done by 2040!