Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R) penned an op-ed, criticizing the “Fake Green Agenda.” Writing for the Washington Times, Senator Rubio reaffirms his support for climate-conscious efforts while also denouncing the options put forward by Democrats.
Democrats have reintroduced the Green New Deal, attempting to shape current climate law implementation.
Led by New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D) and Massachusetts Senator Edward J. Markey (D), the bill seeks to address the United States’ reliance on fossil fuels. However, the deal has been met with opposition from both Republicans and Democrats since it was first introduced years ago.
In his op-ed, Rubio argues that his intentions are to confront the idea that Republicans want to “block climate action.” Instead, he argues that “common-sense Republicans” like himself want to “block Democrats’ fake green agenda.”
“People who are serious about increasing America’s climate resilience agree that we cannot operate on solar and wind alone, because in their current state, those technologies cannot supply enough power to keep our nation running… And yet, President Joe Biden is actively trying to ‘end fossil fuels,’ including natural gas.”
This, Rubio argues, will lead to “a severe price inflation,” explaining that “in a global food economy run by natural gas-based nitrogen fertilizer and diesel-fueled transportation, increased input costs can make the difference between the world’s poorest people being able to afford their next meal and their going hungry.”
Rubio also argues that the “fake green agenda” will also strengthen China. “
“This happens when federal subsidies intended to support the domestic renewable energy industry end up supporting Chinese companies… and it happens when Washington goes soft on China to encourage Beijing’s cooperation on the ‘climate crisis.’”
In speaking to the Climate 202, Markey explained the reason behind the environmental effort, expressing that “the Green New Deal jump-started the movement that won the IRA, a historic accomplishment that represents a major down payment on the Green New Deal goals but there is much more work to do.”
“We want to make sure it’s implemented so that front line environmental justice communities, who have for too long borne the brunt of the climate crisis are getting the benefits which they were promised,” Markey added.
