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Winning the Green New Deal: Why We Must, How We Can
An urgent and definitive collection of essays from leaders and experts championing the Green New Deal—and a detailed playbook for how we can win it—including contributions by leading activists and progressive writers like Varshini Prakash, Rhiana Gunn-Wright, Bill McKibben, Rev William Barber II, and more.
In October 2018, scientists warned that we have less than 12 years left to transform our economy away from fossil fuels, or face catastrophic climate change. At that moment, there was no plan in the US to decarbonize our economy that fast. Less than two years later, every major Democratic presidential candidate has embraced the vision of the Green New Deal—a rapid, vast transformation of our economy to avert climate catastrophe while securing economic and racial justice for all.
What happened? A new generation of leaders confronted the political establishment in Washington DC with a simple message: the climate crisis is here, and the Green New Deal is our last, best hope for a livable future. Now comes the hard part: turning that vision into the law of the land.
In Winning a Green New Deal, leading youth activists, journalists, and policymakers explain why we need a transformative agenda to avert climate catastrophe, and how our movement can organize to win. Featuring essays by Varshini Prakash, cofounder of Sunrise Movement; Rhiana Gunn-Wright, Green New Deal policy architect; Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Prize–winning economist; Bill McKibben, internationally renowned environmentalist; Mary Kay Henry, the President of the Service Employees International Union, and others we’ll learn why the climate crisis cannot be solved unless we also confront inequality and racism, how movements can redefine what’s politically possible and overcome the opposition of fossil fuel billionaires, and how a Green New Deal will build a just and thriving economy for all of us.
For anyone looking to understand the movement for a Green New Deal, and join the fight for a livable future, there is no resource as clear and practical as Winning the Green New Deal.
In October 2018, scientists warned that we have less than 12 years left to transform our economy away from fossil fuels, or face catastrophic climate change. At that moment, there was no plan in the US to decarbonize our economy that fast. Less than two years later, every major Democratic presidential candidate has embraced the vision of the Green New Deal—a rapid, vast transformation of our economy to avert climate catastrophe while securing economic and racial justice for all.
What happened? A new generation of leaders confronted the political establishment in Washington DC with a simple message: the climate crisis is here, and the Green New Deal is our last, best hope for a livable future. Now comes the hard part: turning that vision into the law of the land.
In Winning a Green New Deal, leading youth activists, journalists, and policymakers explain why we need a transformative agenda to avert climate catastrophe, and how our movement can organize to win. Featuring essays by Varshini Prakash, cofounder of Sunrise Movement; Rhiana Gunn-Wright, Green New Deal policy architect; Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Prize–winning economist; Bill McKibben, internationally renowned environmentalist; Mary Kay Henry, the President of the Service Employees International Union, and others we’ll learn why the climate crisis cannot be solved unless we also confront inequality and racism, how movements can redefine what’s politically possible and overcome the opposition of fossil fuel billionaires, and how a Green New Deal will build a just and thriving economy for all of us.
For anyone looking to understand the movement for a Green New Deal, and join the fight for a livable future, there is no resource as clear and practical as Winning the Green New Deal.
361 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2020
83 people are currently reading
1079 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
August 29, 2020
This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the climate crisis (which, to be honest, should be everyone). It distills the DNA of the Sunrise Movement - which has made an incredible amount of progress on climate in the US within the past two years, and has even bigger plans for the future - in an accessible and engaging way.
The book brings together some of the most brilliant minds in the climate world to explore how the climate crisis happened, what a Green New Deal could look like, and how we can organize to make it happen. It tackles the ways that racial justice, Indigenous sovereignty, and the labor movement relate to climate justice, and the theories of change and power that guide the movement.
From Naomi Klein's analysis of how market fundamentalism caused the climate crisis; to Colette Pichon Battle's description of the work that activists in the Gulf South are doing to work toward a Green New Deal for marginalized communities; to Rhiana Gunn-Wright's vision of what Green New Deal policies would entail and how they would change everyday people's lives; to Guido Girgenti and Waleed Shahid's call for a political realignment drawing from the history of past realignments; to Varshini Prakash, Sunrise's co-founder and Executive Director, on the need to build both people power and political power; every essay is essential.
As a member of Sunrise, I especially loved We Shine Bright: Organizing in Hope and Song by Sara Blazevic, Victoria Fernandez, Dyanna Jaye, and Aru Shiney-Ajay. This chapter lays out Sunrise's organizing strategies, which I have found so powerful in my own life. My greatest hope for this book is that it brings more people into the movement for a Green New Deal and a better future.
The book brings together some of the most brilliant minds in the climate world to explore how the climate crisis happened, what a Green New Deal could look like, and how we can organize to make it happen. It tackles the ways that racial justice, Indigenous sovereignty, and the labor movement relate to climate justice, and the theories of change and power that guide the movement.
From Naomi Klein's analysis of how market fundamentalism caused the climate crisis; to Colette Pichon Battle's description of the work that activists in the Gulf South are doing to work toward a Green New Deal for marginalized communities; to Rhiana Gunn-Wright's vision of what Green New Deal policies would entail and how they would change everyday people's lives; to Guido Girgenti and Waleed Shahid's call for a political realignment drawing from the history of past realignments; to Varshini Prakash, Sunrise's co-founder and Executive Director, on the need to build both people power and political power; every essay is essential.
As a member of Sunrise, I especially loved We Shine Bright: Organizing in Hope and Song by Sara Blazevic, Victoria Fernandez, Dyanna Jaye, and Aru Shiney-Ajay. This chapter lays out Sunrise's organizing strategies, which I have found so powerful in my own life. My greatest hope for this book is that it brings more people into the movement for a Green New Deal and a better future.
October 2, 2020
The book was an amazing read. Instead of feeling doomed about the climate crisis, this book left me feeling hopeful. It provided a compelling and insightful roadmap to how we can make the world a better place. The essay collection showed how knowledgeable the authors are about the environmental issues we have and the necessary steps we need to take to tackle these issues. This was an empowering read that gave a lot of easy-to-understand info on the urgent climate catastrophe. Highly recommended!
June 4, 2021
A really great overview for anyone wondering what the Green New Deal even *means* and for folks who are scared about climate change but unsure what to do at a systemic level. The in-depth history of the original New Deal and the labor organizing behind it was fascinating!!!! Let's get this shit DONE byeeeee neoliberalism
January 11, 2021
A very thorough and informative book that deeply explores policy, theories of change, and how we can urgently overcome the climate crisis.
September 8, 2020
If you care about the climate crisis and are interested in serious solutions, this book is as inspiring as it is practical. It assumes you know the science already, or at least enough to accept that if we don't seriously cut our greenhouse gas pollution in the next ten years, then the future will be a difficult time of weird weather.
Highlights of the essays here include "Averting Climate Collapse Requires Confronting Racism" by Ian Haney Lopez, which argues that people who care little about solving America's worst racial inequities also care little about climate change, and vice versa, showing that both issues should be combined at the polls.
"A Third Reconstruction for Our Common Home" by Rev. William Barber, nationally known civil rights leader, also makes a powerful connection between race and climate, with an enlightening discussion of history back to when the first Africans arrived in Jamestown in 1619 and through post-Civil War Reconstruction.
Finally, "From Protest to Primaries: The Movement in the Democratic Party" argues that an activist movement for climate is not enough but that electoral politics are key, and that to win political power, the movement needs to move the Democratic Party to the left.
There's a lot here for young people burning to save the planet but new to activism, and also for older folks to work with our youth to turn today's climate and racial crisis into a chance to dethrone the neoliberal economics and "small government" consensus that has dominated politics since the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980.
The time may finally be ripe for serious climate solutions in politics and this book offers an excellent roadmap how to get there before and after the presidential election in November.
Highlights of the essays here include "Averting Climate Collapse Requires Confronting Racism" by Ian Haney Lopez, which argues that people who care little about solving America's worst racial inequities also care little about climate change, and vice versa, showing that both issues should be combined at the polls.
"A Third Reconstruction for Our Common Home" by Rev. William Barber, nationally known civil rights leader, also makes a powerful connection between race and climate, with an enlightening discussion of history back to when the first Africans arrived in Jamestown in 1619 and through post-Civil War Reconstruction.
Finally, "From Protest to Primaries: The Movement in the Democratic Party" argues that an activist movement for climate is not enough but that electoral politics are key, and that to win political power, the movement needs to move the Democratic Party to the left.
There's a lot here for young people burning to save the planet but new to activism, and also for older folks to work with our youth to turn today's climate and racial crisis into a chance to dethrone the neoliberal economics and "small government" consensus that has dominated politics since the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980.
The time may finally be ripe for serious climate solutions in politics and this book offers an excellent roadmap how to get there before and after the presidential election in November.
April 13, 2021
Like so many young people my age, climate change is something always in the back of my mind, eating away at my ideas of a positive future, an existential dread like no other. In the isolation of Covid-19, I often asked myself: Where do I start with environmentalism? What do I need to know? Who is creating change and how can I be involved? That's when I picked up this book from the Sunrise Movement. Balancing economics, social and racial justice, the current political climate, and lessons from America's past and present, "Winning the Green New Deal" offers an intricate and inspiring starting point for those both young and old wanting to get involved in the fight for a sustainable future. So whether you are looking to take your first step, or simply looking to learn more about the Green New Deal and what it stands for today, I can't recommend this book enough.
August 30, 2020
This is a dark time in America, but this book gave me so much hope, made me believe we can build a better world for all people, and most importantly, provided such a clear and compelling roadmap for HOW we can make that better world happen!
With a star-studded line up of contributors, the Sunrise Movement has made a deeply powerful case for the Green New Deal. The book is accessible, insightful, inspiring and empowering to read. If we heed it's wisdom, we may just build the movements we need to stave of climate catastrophe and build the just and equitable world we all long for. Recommended to all!
With a star-studded line up of contributors, the Sunrise Movement has made a deeply powerful case for the Green New Deal. The book is accessible, insightful, inspiring and empowering to read. If we heed it's wisdom, we may just build the movements we need to stave of climate catastrophe and build the just and equitable world we all long for. Recommended to all!
May 5, 2021
By far my favorite book on ~climate change~ so far. While honest about the urgency of the climate crisis, the authors step away from nightmare scenarios and focus on how collective action can restructure our government, economy, and society. In addressing the methods and conditions for FDR’s New Deal, this collection of essays reminds the reader that the GND is not a “green dream or whatever.” It’s both possible and necessary. I ended the book motivated to fight for our future instead of depressed about the odds against us. I cannot recommend this book enough!
August 26, 2020
An incredible collection of brilliant voices whose wisdom gets across the urgency of this moment in our history. We see it all around us right now: California is on fire, Iowa is picking up the pieces after a hurricane, our coastal cities are staring down a terrifying storm. This book is such a clear outline of how the Green New Deal can turn things around while addressing the racial and class oppression that the fossil fuel industry promotes. An absolute must read for anyone who cares about avoiding a climate apocalypse in the next 10 years.
July 21, 2024
really interesting, motivation collection of essays about the impact of climate change from a range of points of view
August 25, 2020
This book was so refreshing because, through the various essays, it's clear that the writers understand the stakes and severity of the crisis, they don't sugar coat it, and they also offer solutions that feel like they match the scale of the crisis. It doesn't leave me pessimistic and depressed about the world but actually feeling like we can still make a better future Also, it's really colloquial so even going through tough content, it was easy to read. Easily the best climate book I've read.
December 26, 2021
Comprehensive and insightful, this book covers the issue of climate change on three levels: documenting the severity of the climate crisis, proposing concrete policy solutions for decarbonizing the American economy, and explicating and evaluating possible steps to mobilize the public and agitate for said policies.
This book was essential to reframing my understanding of the climate crisis, particularly in demonstrating the immediacy and severity of the issue, as well as better understanding the details of a Green New Deal solution.
The most powerful passage, in my mind, is the chapter "The Next Era of American Politics", covering the momentous political realignments of bygone eras, and analyzing the prospects of a new realignment that could make ambitious Green New Deal policies politically feasible. The chapter focuses on the importance of broad economic, cultural, and political trends--rather than individual political actors--in shaping the course of American politics: a pertinent mode of analysis in the age of digital parties spearheaded by a handful of TV-savvy politicians.
I strongly recommend this title for anyone wishing to better understand the climate crisis, the Green New Deal, or progressive organizing tactics. It is written to be clear, cogent, and accessible, and provides a well-formulated, comprehensive theory of the origins and solutions to the defining political crisis of our era.
This book was essential to reframing my understanding of the climate crisis, particularly in demonstrating the immediacy and severity of the issue, as well as better understanding the details of a Green New Deal solution.
The most powerful passage, in my mind, is the chapter "The Next Era of American Politics", covering the momentous political realignments of bygone eras, and analyzing the prospects of a new realignment that could make ambitious Green New Deal policies politically feasible. The chapter focuses on the importance of broad economic, cultural, and political trends--rather than individual political actors--in shaping the course of American politics: a pertinent mode of analysis in the age of digital parties spearheaded by a handful of TV-savvy politicians.
I strongly recommend this title for anyone wishing to better understand the climate crisis, the Green New Deal, or progressive organizing tactics. It is written to be clear, cogent, and accessible, and provides a well-formulated, comprehensive theory of the origins and solutions to the defining political crisis of our era.
March 3, 2021
Pros: very quotable, lots of complementary takes on FDR's New Deal, a few excellent chapters (Naomi Klein, Riana Gunn-Wright, Colette Pichon Battle, Julian Brave Noisecat, Mary Kay Henry, and Reverend William J. Barber II). Prakash's opening chapter is beautiful, and her vision of the future is inspiring. Great resource for sharing specific chapters.
Cons: the worst citation system I have ever encountered, overly lengthy, and repetitive in many ways (both in terms of the content and writing style). Maybe it was edited too heavily into the same voice?
Worth the buy, but I skimmed a bit.
Cons: the worst citation system I have ever encountered, overly lengthy, and repetitive in many ways (both in terms of the content and writing style). Maybe it was edited too heavily into the same voice?
Worth the buy, but I skimmed a bit.
July 28, 2021
This is an essential read for anyone working on climate and social justice issues. While the book is US-specific, a lot of lessons transcend its borders. The clarity of strategic thinking and clear-eyed grappling with the reality of the climate and inequality crises will be a guide for anyone who considers themselves engaged in the pursuit of a more just world.
December 6, 2020
"[T]he status quo rests on people going about their business without making a fuss. The course of history changes when ordinary people bring business as usual to a halt."
Refreshing take on how we got here accompanied by a common-sense blueprint for how to move forward. Combines history tidbits on U.S. social movements and electoral politics with the urgency to resolve today's climate crisis and soaring inequality. I found the realignment framework used to describe the FDR and Reagan eras helpful to understand what systems the GND both models after and refutes. I also appreciated the nod to the New Deal's role in leading the white middle class to the misguided mid-20th century idea that they were the creators of their own success — a hypocrisy that removes credibility from the narrative of individual responsibility.
These essays are surprisingly optimistic, acting as the perfect counterforce to the cynicism that would be more rationally appropriate in response to our situation. The writers ultimately advocate for greater political involvement at all levels to get people in power who can enact the greater visions of the GND, something all of us who want a livable future can all get behind. Comprehensive economic mobilization is desperately needed, full stop.
"The complacency of an elected leader, previously unremarkable and invisible, suddenly becomes a political liability because of young organizers' moral clarity and nonviolent confrontation."
This book made me grateful for the grassroots Sunrise Movement, which I (shamefully) didn't know about before. Their Climate Mandate petition to fill the new office with prepared representatives looks promising (please sign).
P.S. AOC, I would die for you. And Bernie.
Refreshing take on how we got here accompanied by a common-sense blueprint for how to move forward. Combines history tidbits on U.S. social movements and electoral politics with the urgency to resolve today's climate crisis and soaring inequality. I found the realignment framework used to describe the FDR and Reagan eras helpful to understand what systems the GND both models after and refutes. I also appreciated the nod to the New Deal's role in leading the white middle class to the misguided mid-20th century idea that they were the creators of their own success — a hypocrisy that removes credibility from the narrative of individual responsibility.
These essays are surprisingly optimistic, acting as the perfect counterforce to the cynicism that would be more rationally appropriate in response to our situation. The writers ultimately advocate for greater political involvement at all levels to get people in power who can enact the greater visions of the GND, something all of us who want a livable future can all get behind. Comprehensive economic mobilization is desperately needed, full stop.
"The complacency of an elected leader, previously unremarkable and invisible, suddenly becomes a political liability because of young organizers' moral clarity and nonviolent confrontation."
This book made me grateful for the grassroots Sunrise Movement, which I (shamefully) didn't know about before. Their Climate Mandate petition to fill the new office with prepared representatives looks promising (please sign).
P.S. AOC, I would die for you. And Bernie.
December 22, 2020
Winning The Green New Deal is a great outline of what the Green New Deal plans to achieve as well as a background on the Sunrise Movement. As someone who only had a surface level knowledge these subjects this book was highly informative; allowing the reader to learn the reasoning and objectives of the movement as well as why action needs to be take and how they can help. This book covers a heavy subject that all humans should inform themselves on while also offering solutions and actions that can be taken, allowing for the book to have a level of hope to it.
While I expected this book to cover the Green New Deal and the Sunrise Movement, I didn't realize how much I would learn about the original New Deal of the 1930's, labor movements, the history of the last 100 years of American politics that lead us to this current climate, as well as how a movement can grow in the 2020's. With so many topics discuss this book offers a lot more value than is initially realized.
My only issue with the book is that it is comprised of a collection of authors. While I think it offers a unique value in this situation as it shows the many backgrounds that make up the Sunrise Movement, it is clear that some authors are stronger than others and the sequencing of some of these ideas can feel a bit sporadic. This is mainly a personal issue, as I usually don't like collective author works like this.
Overall, I think there is a lot to learn from this book and I think everyone would be better off for it. Considering I am reading this at the end of 2020 I can't think of a better synopsis for the year.
While I expected this book to cover the Green New Deal and the Sunrise Movement, I didn't realize how much I would learn about the original New Deal of the 1930's, labor movements, the history of the last 100 years of American politics that lead us to this current climate, as well as how a movement can grow in the 2020's. With so many topics discuss this book offers a lot more value than is initially realized.
My only issue with the book is that it is comprised of a collection of authors. While I think it offers a unique value in this situation as it shows the many backgrounds that make up the Sunrise Movement, it is clear that some authors are stronger than others and the sequencing of some of these ideas can feel a bit sporadic. This is mainly a personal issue, as I usually don't like collective author works like this.
Overall, I think there is a lot to learn from this book and I think everyone would be better off for it. Considering I am reading this at the end of 2020 I can't think of a better synopsis for the year.
June 2, 2021
Extremely timely and inspiring book. A few reflections:
- The Sunrise Movement is deeply intersectional, and this book does a great job of explaining why issues of race and class are not only relevant to climate policy, but have to be a core part of it.
- The Green New Deal is often criticized for being lofty or vague. It is neither, but it does require an entire re-alignment of the role and power of government, which up to this point is still in the neoliberal “Reagan mindset”. This is why it terrifies wealthy corporations who have benefitted from lax labor and environmental laws.
- The lessons of how Sunrise builds and leads a movement are relevant to any issue, not just climate. It reminded me a lot of the book “This is an Uprising”.
- A good movement has firm principles, but gives freedom to rising leaders everywhere to start hubs and do actions, as long as the core principles are adhered to. In this way, exponential (but organized) people power is possible.
- The Sunrise Movement recognizes that its climate goals will be hard to achieve with governing power, which is why they place so much emphasis on GOTV efforts and getting progressive politicians elected.
- It would be hard to read this book and A) not feel terrified about the climate crisis but B) not feel tremendously hopeful and grateful to all of the young activists fighting for our futures.
The only reason it’s not 5 stars is because I felt some essays were a bit redundant.
- The Sunrise Movement is deeply intersectional, and this book does a great job of explaining why issues of race and class are not only relevant to climate policy, but have to be a core part of it.
- The Green New Deal is often criticized for being lofty or vague. It is neither, but it does require an entire re-alignment of the role and power of government, which up to this point is still in the neoliberal “Reagan mindset”. This is why it terrifies wealthy corporations who have benefitted from lax labor and environmental laws.
- The lessons of how Sunrise builds and leads a movement are relevant to any issue, not just climate. It reminded me a lot of the book “This is an Uprising”.
- A good movement has firm principles, but gives freedom to rising leaders everywhere to start hubs and do actions, as long as the core principles are adhered to. In this way, exponential (but organized) people power is possible.
- The Sunrise Movement recognizes that its climate goals will be hard to achieve with governing power, which is why they place so much emphasis on GOTV efforts and getting progressive politicians elected.
- It would be hard to read this book and A) not feel terrified about the climate crisis but B) not feel tremendously hopeful and grateful to all of the young activists fighting for our futures.
The only reason it’s not 5 stars is because I felt some essays were a bit redundant.
October 8, 2022
This book is basically a primer to the Sunrise Movement, and it works well in that capacity. It covers the core issues of the Green New Deal, presents a historical framework, outlines Sunrise's theory of change and organizing strategies, and weaves in personal narratives. But because it's a Sunrise book, it reflects that organization's shortcomings, such as being overly centered on young people who have been to college, are in college, or are headed there; on organizing around the Democratic Party; and on framing climate justice as a US issue requiring US mobilization in (literally) the same way as fighting fascism during World War II did. The latter point means there is zero analysis in this book of how a lot of policies under the Green New Deal umbrella focus on reducing emissions within the US but don't take into account how so-called clean energy displaces environmental impacts to other countries. Also, this book never discusses the genesis of the environmental justice movement at all(?!) or the key role that workers in environmentally harmful industries have played in organizing for labor and environmental justice at the same time. Sooo this book is an OK start, but anyone who's inspired by it and doesn't know what to do next should check out Climate Justice Alliance.
August 30, 2020
Love this book. It does an amazing job of delving into the why, what, and how of the movement for a Green New Deal. If you are completely new to the idea, this book is for you! If you have some familiarity with climate change, this book is for you! If you are already a dedicated advocate for the Green New Deal, this book is for you!
Going much further than just explaining how bad things are, or how quickly we need to decarbonize, this book takes a holistic approach at explaining why we have failed to tackle climate change so far and how it intersects with almost every other issue, then it details what changes we need to make as a society in order to ensure a just and livable future for everybody. The last third of the book explains direct organizational and political strategies that everybody needs to take in order to make these dreams into a reality.
Rather than coming away feeling overwhelmed and doomed, you'll come away feeling hopeful and pumped up, with a game plan to take on the powers that be in order to create a better world for all that inhabit it! Highly recommended!
Going much further than just explaining how bad things are, or how quickly we need to decarbonize, this book takes a holistic approach at explaining why we have failed to tackle climate change so far and how it intersects with almost every other issue, then it details what changes we need to make as a society in order to ensure a just and livable future for everybody. The last third of the book explains direct organizational and political strategies that everybody needs to take in order to make these dreams into a reality.
Rather than coming away feeling overwhelmed and doomed, you'll come away feeling hopeful and pumped up, with a game plan to take on the powers that be in order to create a better world for all that inhabit it! Highly recommended!
September 1, 2020
This book is a collection of materials from significant authors about the climate crisis, strongly bringing in the climate justice and economic inequality issues which make the situation more complicated. It helps to bring the reader up to date and gives a launching off point to other sources. A solution needs to embrace all of these issues simultaneously, analogous to the New Deal accomplished by FDR. The most informative chapters to me were those contributed by the young authors involved in the Sunrise Movement, Varshini Prakash and Guido Girgenti but the material was supplemented by pieces by distinguished authors such as Bill McKibben, Naomi Klein, William Barber II, Joseph Stiglitz. It brings the reader up to date on the lost opportunities during the Obama administrations, how the fossil fuel industry cast an anti-climate campaign (along with funding of politicians) and how recent activism (as shown by the Bernie Sanders campaign) may be the only solution replace the key players in government who continue to do nothing to address the issue. Time is running out.
January 6, 2021
One of the most comprehensive, thought-provoking, and overall inspiring works I have read about the feasible roadmap to achieving a Green New Deal.
The Sunrise Movement co-founder Prakash and Justice Dems leader Girgenti coordinate an essential collection of essays and stories about the potential to mobilize federal resources in crises, the nexus of racism and climate change, the role of labor and economic policy in a Green New Deal, and more. The book is organized into three sections: why we need a Green New Deal, what type of policies would we develop and implement with a Green New Deal, and how do we politically achieve a Green New Deal with reflections on other US social movements.
Standout essays for me were López’s “Averting the Climate Crisis Requires Confronting Racism”, Rev. Barber’s “A Third Reconstruction of Our Common Home” and Girgenti & Shahid’s “The Next Era of American Politics”.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in progressive movements in the United States.
The Sunrise Movement co-founder Prakash and Justice Dems leader Girgenti coordinate an essential collection of essays and stories about the potential to mobilize federal resources in crises, the nexus of racism and climate change, the role of labor and economic policy in a Green New Deal, and more. The book is organized into three sections: why we need a Green New Deal, what type of policies would we develop and implement with a Green New Deal, and how do we politically achieve a Green New Deal with reflections on other US social movements.
Standout essays for me were López’s “Averting the Climate Crisis Requires Confronting Racism”, Rev. Barber’s “A Third Reconstruction of Our Common Home” and Girgenti & Shahid’s “The Next Era of American Politics”.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in progressive movements in the United States.
November 5, 2020
Don't get me wrong, it's a lovely collection of essays and really, really good for someone that's curious as to just HOW we might be able to take back some power and actually do something about saving the planet. A fantastic intro. (I uh, knew most of this stuff already.)
I started this right after I read a book about how racist "America First" is and whatnot - that book was v depressing and I was like, we need to defeat REPUBLICANISM and so this was a great palate cleanser / offered hope as to how to do so.
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut....
Then the 2020 election happened, and I binged the last three quarters of the book on the ride home from DC and it hit very differently. (I was in a cranky, depressed mood, OK!!!) It wasn't enough to perk me back up - usually only Sunrise in-person meetings do that and we're not exactly doing those anytime soon.
So, in summary, it's a good book but it certainly hits less optimistically right after the 2020 election sorta eats shit.
I started this right after I read a book about how racist "America First" is and whatnot - that book was v depressing and I was like, we need to defeat REPUBLICANISM and so this was a great palate cleanser / offered hope as to how to do so.
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut....
Then the 2020 election happened, and I binged the last three quarters of the book on the ride home from DC and it hit very differently. (I was in a cranky, depressed mood, OK!!!) It wasn't enough to perk me back up - usually only Sunrise in-person meetings do that and we're not exactly doing those anytime soon.
So, in summary, it's a good book but it certainly hits less optimistically right after the 2020 election sorta eats shit.
November 19, 2020
Wow, this book was cray. Dense and high level in some places but really well thought out and informative essays on all the different aspects of the climate poltical movement.
We do need a response drastically and fundamentally different than the previous approach, and we need to build political power to do that. The book talks a lot about the history of the new deal and other massive political realignments of our country (like Reagan).
Also some very sad and shocking essays from people who have felt climate change firsthand. It is a incredibly serious threat, but we do have the solutions to decarbonize our economy and stop global warming before 2 degrees C. The solution isn’t just science or technology either, it’s taking existing parts of our world (EVs, housing retrofits, electrification) and putting the American workforce to the task of rebuilding our infrastructure across the entire country.
I could go on for a while, there’s a bunch of good stuff in here.
We do need a response drastically and fundamentally different than the previous approach, and we need to build political power to do that. The book talks a lot about the history of the new deal and other massive political realignments of our country (like Reagan).
Also some very sad and shocking essays from people who have felt climate change firsthand. It is a incredibly serious threat, but we do have the solutions to decarbonize our economy and stop global warming before 2 degrees C. The solution isn’t just science or technology either, it’s taking existing parts of our world (EVs, housing retrofits, electrification) and putting the American workforce to the task of rebuilding our infrastructure across the entire country.
I could go on for a while, there’s a bunch of good stuff in here.
October 19, 2020
Being a Canadian, many areas of the book were not specifically applicable to me, they were still generally relevant. I was inspired enough to realize that voting is not enough and that I must take out a membership in and contribute to the Green party in my riding
Being 59 years old, I am possibly a bit older than the target audience for this book.
Wrapping up environmental concerns, race issues, gender issues, labor and economic reform into one big package is a huge undertaking. If I can offer one piece of advice it would be to "embrace hypocrisy" , just because I don't always do what I know I should does not diminish my right to respectfully give other people advice and just because another person's actions are flawed does not mean that I should not consider the guidance that they give me.
Being 59 years old, I am possibly a bit older than the target audience for this book.
Wrapping up environmental concerns, race issues, gender issues, labor and economic reform into one big package is a huge undertaking. If I can offer one piece of advice it would be to "embrace hypocrisy" , just because I don't always do what I know I should does not diminish my right to respectfully give other people advice and just because another person's actions are flawed does not mean that I should not consider the guidance that they give me.
November 18, 2020
Only time will tell if we will choose to take the necessary actions to slow down and stop the man made change of our climate. It will require mobilization and effort of an unprecedented scale.
As Greta Thunberg has written,
"We're approaching an invisible boundary beyond which there is no return. What we are doing now, very soon will be impossible to undo."
Sunrise Movement (and others) are trying to make it happen. I learned more than I expected from this book, and I also now have lots of specific reasons to hate Ronald Reagan.
As Greta Thunberg has written,
"We're approaching an invisible boundary beyond which there is no return. What we are doing now, very soon will be impossible to undo."
Sunrise Movement (and others) are trying to make it happen. I learned more than I expected from this book, and I also now have lots of specific reasons to hate Ronald Reagan.
December 31, 2020
Glad that this book is in the world. Individually, the essays are impassioned depictions of the gravity of the crises facing us. Collectively, they don't make a great cover-to-cover read, because they're all going over pretty similar ground. The most interesting chapters describe specifically how fenceline communities are developing their own GND proposals and plans. I'd have liked more of that. I'd also have liked a TOC, which seems picky, but without it, the Kindle edition was difficult to navigate.
February 23, 2023
Great thorough explanation of the policy proposals, organizing techniques, and young leaders behind the Green New Deal. The structure of multiple narratives from different leaders in the movement and people impacted by climate change helps stress the collectivism and intersectional nature of the Sunrise Movement, but does mean that some of the core points are overstressed to the point of redundancy. That being said, it does an excellent job laying out the rationale for why intersectionality must lie at the root of any climate movement.
February 14, 2025
As much as I agree with the Green New Deal, the “How we Can” part of the book leaves room to be desired. The Sunrise Movement joining the Democratic Party is only one way to influence things from one side of the aisle. Fighting climate change, inequality, and racism have appeal across the board, even if it isn’t talked about as much as it should be. This book doesn’t suggest any ways of relating Republican priorities to this (e.g. environmental conservation is literally what a conservative person would do). Good ideas and good case for Why we Must hence the four stars.
February 10, 2022
Both deeply inspiring and informative, an absolute *banger* of a read most of the time.
...most. Due to the nature of the text being a collection of essays, we do get a large variety of writing styles and perspectives from a massive, multicultural group; but there are a number of repetitive points or overused arguments that stem from that same structure.
Highly, highly recommend, just beware some redundancy.
...most. Due to the nature of the text being a collection of essays, we do get a large variety of writing styles and perspectives from a massive, multicultural group; but there are a number of repetitive points or overused arguments that stem from that same structure.
Highly, highly recommend, just beware some redundancy.
September 13, 2022
While soaring in rhetoric and idealism, the book is worryingly short on specifics, and given post-pandemic lens, it feels woefully short in addressing how our politics have radically changed since then. One hopes that the incredible effort and skill that brought these passionate writers together is also moving them toward implementing practical solutions toward the crisis, and that elected officials everywhere heed this message from the future, and soon.
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