Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 30, 2019)
January 30, 2019 Page 13 O PINION MCS Still in Business Martin Cleaning Service Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial Services Minimum Service CHG. $50.00 A small distance/travel charge may be applied CARPET CLEANING 2 Cleaning Areas or more $30.00 each Area Pre-Spray Traffic Areas (Includes: 1 small Hallway) 1 Cleaning Area (only) $50.00 Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area and Hallway Democrats Fail First Big Test on Climate Kicking the can down the road b asav s en The sci- ence on cli- mate change is clear: All countries des- perately need to restructure fossil fuels out of their economies. Naturally, the Trump adminis- tration has recklessly ignored this evidence. In every way it’s tried to make it easier to extract and burn fossil fuels — and harder to hold polluters of all stripes account- able. But what about the other side in Washington? Unfortunately, Dem- ocratic leaders are also acting like they don’t understand the urgency of the problem. After the election, youth activ- ists occupied the offices of Demo- cratic leaders to demand a special congressional committee to plan for a Green New Deal. A Green New Deal means ad- dressing climate change through a mobilization on the scale of the original New Deal, which helped end the Great Depression. It means tackling climate change by alongside other social and eco- nomic inequalities — in part by creating jobs in solar and wind energy, efficient buildings, public transportation, clean water, and public health. Climate change exacerbates our society’s inequalities. For in- stance, black Americans are 52 percent likelier than white Amer- icans to be exposed to deadly heat waves caused by climate change. When the oceans rise from melt- ing polar ice, everyone is eventu- ally affected — but Native Alas- kan communities are losing their homelands today. Hurricanes intensified by warming oceans hurt everyone in their path, but are particularly devastating in places like Puerto Rico, with its 44 percent poverty rate. A Green New Deal strategy tackles these inequalities directly, instead of treating climate as an isolated problem. It’s also smart politics, because bringing down utility bills — and creating lots of good jobs — wid- ens support for bold climate ac- tion. Energy efficiency and clean energy jobs already outnumber fossil fuel jobs by a wide margin. Imagine what could happen with a real movement. House Speaker Nancy Pelo- si promised to address these de- mands. But she hasn’t kept her promise. Instead of a real Green New Deal committee, she formed a toothless advisory body with no real power. First, Pelosi’s committee doesn’t have a mandate to come up with a plan that matches the re- quired scale and speed. That’s like easing off the gas but not hitting the brakes on a car speeding off a cliff. Second, it doesn’t have lan- guage on race, income, gender, or other inequalities. When even wonky scientists address the un- equal impacts of climate change, it’s galling that our elected repre- sentatives don’t see fit to acknowl- edge this reality. Third, the committee doesn’t have the power to issue subpoe- nas. It can merely “recommend subpoenas and depositions” to other committees. This is a serious omission. Powerful fossil fuel corporations have stymied climate action for decades by lobbying to weaken commonsense measures, funding disinformation campaigns, and bribing politicians to the tune of $78 million in spending on the last election alone — in spite of know- ing the dangers of their own busi- ness model for decades. It’s about time Congress con- ducted an investigation of this predatory industry, and how better to do it than through a committee dedicated to the climate crisis? Finally, there’s no requirement that members of the committee don’t take fossil fuel money. So some of the recipients of that $78 million can sit on the committee and undermine it from within. What a great way to sabotage the committee before it even gets go- ing! This is a spectacular failure on the part of Pelosi and the Demo- cratic leadership. Knowing what we know now about the urgency of climate action — the world’s top scientists tell us there’s only 11 years left to take preventative action — their proposal is nothing short of criminal negligence. Kicking the can down the road appears to be a bipartisan sport in Washington. That’s why we need a powerful grassroots movement to compel our political leadership to address climate change with ur- gency, speed, and justice. Basav Sen directs the Climate Policy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies. Distributed by OtherWords.org. Stairs (12-16 stairs - With Other Services) : $30.00 Heavily Soiled Area: $10.00 each area (Requiring Pre-Spray) Area/Oriental Rug Cleaning Regular Area Rugs $25.00 Minimum Wool Oriental Rugs $40.00 Minimum UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Sofa: $70.00 Loveseat: $50.00 Sectional: $110 - $140 Chair or Recliner: $25.00 - $50.00 Throw Pillows (With Other Services) : $5.00 ADDITIONAL SERVICES • Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning • Deodorizing & Pet Odor Treatment • Spot & Stain Removal Service • Scotchguard Protection • Minor Water Damage Services Call for Appointment (503) 281-3949
