Episode Overview
Podcast: Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer
Episode Title: BONUS: Why the Green New Deal is Good Economics
Date: March 29, 2019
This bonus episode features Civic Ventures' Annie Faidley and Zach Silk exploring the Green New Deal (GND), examining its core principles, its pivotal role at the intersection of politics and economics, and why it represents not just an environmental necessity but a potent economic and social opportunity. The conversation covers both the ambition and criticisms of the GND, the generational divide it has sparked, and its global context, all through the lens of "middle-out" economics.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
What Is the Green New Deal?
- Historical Context & Aims
- The GND concept draws inspiration from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, with a focus on transforming the economy through climate action and social justice ([00:24]).
- The current push, led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, calls for transitioning to 100% renewable energy within ten years.
- Key Principles
- Phasing out fossil fuels across sectors (agriculture, transportation, infrastructure) ([01:21]).
- Aiming for a carbon-free economy in a decade.
- Pairing climate action with a jobs guarantee—a living wage for all.
“We have to get to 100% renewable energy in 10 years. There is no other option.”
— News Clip on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, [01:09]
The Green New Deal as an Economic Vision
- Not a Fully Developed Policy: A Set of Principles
- Zach calls out that while the GND lacks detailed policy, it has become a dominant focus of economic and political debate ([01:42]).
- It’s not about quibbling over details yet, but about embracing bold ambition to address dire problems.
"It's not actually a very well developed policy piece... It's a set of principles. The principles are extremely exciting."
— Zach Silk, [01:44]
- Tying Climate Action to Economic Justice
- Moving beyond previous efforts, the GND connects environmental change to equitable economic transformation ([04:08]).
- Creating a “new economy based on a new energy source in a way that works for everyone.”
- Past progressive failures often stemmed from decoupling issues like climate from everyday economic realities.
"The thing I love about the Green New Deal is it takes this complex, abstract thing—climate change—and it makes it real for you, which is to say, you deserve a good job making the new economy. And that's what we used to do in America."
— Zach Silk, [05:16]
The Role of Ambition and the 'Economic Bill of Rights'
- Meaningful Work Is Central
- The Green New Deal’s job guarantee echoes the New Deal’s promise of mass participation in nation-building ([06:14]).
- Ensuring fairness and justice isn’t a side benefit; it’s integral to mobilizing the necessary cooperation.
"You can't have the cooperation that's required on this scale if you don't have fairness and justice built into it directly."
— Annie Faidley, [06:14]
Generational Divide and Political Movement
- Young vs. Old Perspectives
- Zach notes older politicians often dismiss the GND as unrealistic, while young people embrace its scale and urgency ([06:26]).
- Annie reflects the millennial impatience for incrementalism and insistence that only action at the proposed scale will suffice.
"As a millennial... I think that most of us are for this and that it's really [those] who are stuck in some grading systems of making progress that are going to try and shoot it down."
— Annie Faidley, [07:42]
- Broader Support & Political Momentum
- The movement isn't just generational; politicians like Governor Jay Inslee make climate the centerpiece of their campaigns ([07:59]).
"We're the first generation to feel the sting of climate change, and we're the last that can do something about it... Our country's next mission must be to rise up to the most urgent challenge of our time—defeating climate change."
— Gov. Jay Inslee (clip), [07:59]
Global Perspective & Moral Imperative
- America’s Role & Global Solidarity
- Annie underscores that the U.S. must approach this as a moral obligation and international partnership, not unilateral heroism ([08:18]).
- Zach laments America's historical inaction and sees the GND as a chance for global leadership ([08:48]).
"It's actually our moral imperative to do our part in concert with the rest of humanity..."
— Annie Faidley, [08:18]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
"[The Green New Deal] is about tackling this incredible challenge of climate change in the most transformative way possible, while accounting for disruption in the economy and justice as a forward and explicit part of policy making."
— Zach Silk, [02:18] -
"We need to be dreaming really big. We have major problems...and the most important thing is we start having the kinds of ambition to tackle those problems."
— Zach Silk, [03:36] -
"Life as we know it is going to change. And I think most people my age accept that and are even, I would say, fearful of that and are ready and willing to take these huge steps..."
— Annie Faidley, [07:10]
Resource Recommendations & Further Engagement
- Sunrise Movement ([09:01])
- For grassroots organizing, GND details, and engagement: sunrisemovement.org
- Justice Democrats
- For seeing how GND fits within the progressive agenda: justicedemocrats.com
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Defining the Green New Deal and its history — [00:24–01:41]
- Why GND is not fully detailed but still urgent — [01:42–03:56]
- Linking economic justice and climate action — [04:08–06:14]
- Generational divide and millennial perspectives — [06:26–07:47]
- Governor Jay Inslee clip & America's global role — [07:59–08:48]
- Ways to get involved and further resources — [09:01–end]
This episode frames the Green New Deal as a vital, ambitious strategy demanding both sweeping economic transformation and environmental action, one rooted as much in social justice and practical politics as in climate science. Annie and Zach argue passionately for ambition over incrementalism and for a movement that links everyday Americans to the solutions for the greatest challenge of our time.