The Green New Deal and The Biden Plan: What You Should Know
By Ellen Johnston, FAPLD
Dallas, TX
The Biden Administration has just passed its 100 day mark, and the President spoke to the American people about his administration's goals for the next 4 years. We’ve heard about the Green New Deal and the Biden Climate Change Plan, so I thought it might be timely to take a look at what these policies are and are not, and what we as landscape professionals need to know in order to prepare our businesses for the future.
First, the Green New Deal (GND) is not the same as the Biden Climate Change Plan. There are similarities and overlaps but also differences. Both are sparking important and necessary conversations about the urgency of climate change. They are catalysts for plans that will put us on an accelerated path to decarbonization.
The GND is a Congressional Resolution, introduced by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Edward Markey that calls on the Federal Gov’t to wean our county off fossil fuels and curb planet warming gas emissions across the economy. The Resolution is non-binding. It is not a single project or a piece of legislation., rather more of an ‘aspiration’. The GND is said to be more expensive compared to the Biden Plan ,which is more narrowly focused , over a 10 year period.
The Biden Plan does acknowledge that the GND provides an important framework for dealing with climate change. Both acknowledge the challenges that require action on an epic scale and also, that our environment and economy are tightly woven together.
At their core, both plans are about jobs, the environment and climate change mitigation.
JOBS
Clean energy investments and infrastructure improvements are anticipated to create over 10 million new jobs. New jobs will come from retooling the auto industry for low emissions, cleanups from oil and gas well pollution, new energy efficient buildings, etc.
High quality union jobs, better wages, hiring local workers, providing more training and advancement opportunities, family and medical leave are some of the benefits that would also be included.
TRANSPORTATION
Both the GND and the Biden Plan call for overhauling the American Transportation System to reduce pollution and greenhouse gases. They encourage light rail systems, hybrid and electric cars. Biden’s plan also proposes rebates to trade in gas guzzling vehicles for more efficient American Cars, and investing in 500,00 EV charging stations.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Both plans emphasize ideas to remedy inequalities which have left minority, low income and indigenous communities disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change. The Biden Plan directs 40% of its spending to historically disadvantaged communities.
EMISSIONS
Both plans call for net zero emissions but the time frames differ, with the GND being more aggressive.
HOUSING
Both plans draw the connection between unaffordable housing in job centers and high emissions due to increased traffic and long commutes. Both have set goals of building millions of sustainable homes and housing units as well as upgrading and weatherizing existing homes.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Similarities include making smart investments to ensure that buildings, water transportation, and energy infrastructure can withstand the impacts of climate change. The GND has a broader approach that includes upgrading to smart power grids, completely overhauling infrastructure and reforestation plans.
The Biden Plan calls on the Federal Government to invest in policies and projects that affect the way we design buildings, travel, and eat in order to eliminate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions as much as is feasible. The goal is to avoid the worst consequences of climate change while also trying to fix societal problems like economic inequality and racial injustice.
Priority would be given to projects that build resilience or reduce climate and local pollution and the materials used should be climate resilient, energy efficient, and produced via clean manufacturing. Priority would also be given to projects that benefit low income families and communities of color.
Both plans recognize the importance of international collaboration to address climate change and have promised to use every tool available of American foreign policy to push the rest of the world to raise their ambitions alongside the United States. We have rejoined the Paris Climate Peace Accord. The GND laid out the goal to make the United States the international leader on climate action and to help other nations achieve a Green New Deal.
From what I’ve read, the negatives of the plans are mostly political and social opposition. The Fossil Fuel industry will most likely sow doubt on the need for urgent concern and oppose any legislation that will phase them out. Additionally there are still climate change deniers who do not believe humans are a cause and/or can be a cure for climate change. And there are also many people who just don’t care or don’t want to change their lifestyle.
How the Plans will affect the Landscape Industry: Directly, But Mostly Indirectly
New Minimum Wage Policy
The Biden administration is asking for the Federal Minimum Wage to be increased to $15.00/ hr for federal employees. This raise will likely happen in phases, but it is time to plan ahead. How will increased labor costs affect your job costs? Will you need to limit the number of employees you have, will you absorb the extra costs or pass them on to your customer?
Immigration Reform Policies
Many Landscape contractors rely on seasonal workers for busy periods who enter the country with specialized visas like the H-2B Visa — which allows unskilled workers to enter the country to work. Reform may limit the number of workers who can enter and create a labor shortage. The visa holders will have to be paid on the same level as local workers, so businesses will be encouraged to hire local workers before they seek out immigrant workers. Unavailable labor will impact a company’s ability to take on and fulfill projects.
Environmental consciousness will have a greater role in design choices made by landscape professionals.There will be more demand for plant diversity and native tree species
Are you planting enough trees to provide windbreaks and reduce heating costs? Are you using more native plants? Diversity in landscaping is also important because of the impact it has on ecosystem diversity. Greater biodiversity creates healthier environments by reducing the incidence of certain plant diseases and healthier insect communities.
Then there are the vehicles we use. Eventually we will be all electric, so building these conversions into your long range business plan is suggested.
Also take a look at your BRANDING. Sustainability and environmental consciousness are ‘hot topics’. Review your brand values to reflect or align with the values you want in a client.
APLD is encouraging members to advocate for recyclable plant pots, and this should be more fully developed.
Also look over what methods you are currently using— for weeds and pests, water recapture, stormwater runoff solutions. Many forms of pesticides will continue to come under scrutiny: are you using sustainable maintenance products and practices?
Be sure your clients understand their landscape is not just a beautiful space but also has an impact on the local environment.
I would encourage you as members to share any ideas you have about the Biden Climate Plan and how you see it impacting your business.