We never thought we’d see the day when the climate movement joined with the movements for food and farming, and economic and social justice, to put forward a comprehensive solution to the climate crisis that calls for both halting fossil fuel emissions and drawing down excess carbon from the atmosphere.

But . . . this day is dawning under the banner of the #GreenNewDeal (GND). And this week is your opportunity to get involved.

We’re joining two allied calls to action and we hope you will, too.

First, if you haven’t already, please sign up to attend or host a #GreenNewDeal watch party on February 5!

We just heard from the Sunrise Movement that so far, about 400 watch parties have been scheduled. We’re thrilled to report 226 OCA members have signed up to host or attend!

That’s great news. It means that the food movement will have a strong presence at these events!

To that end, here’s a fact sheet on food, farming and the GND. Please download, print and distribute widely at your February 5 watch party.

If you haven’t already, read this in-depth explanation of why the GND is so important for the food and farming movement.

Want to connect with other OCAers who are volunteering to support the GND? Join this google group.

Second, demand that your Representative fight for a Green New Deal: Sign up to organize or attend an event in your community from Feb. 4 – 8!

OCA is proud to have joined over 600 groups across the U.S. calling on the new Congress to take strong action on climate as one part of GND.

From February 4-8, this national movement for Real Climate Leadership will ramp up our call for a strong GND by publicly calling on every representative to support these 5 demands:

• Halt all new fossil fuel extraction, infrastructure, and subsidies, and transition power generation to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 or sooner

• Rapidly decarbonize the agriculture and transportation sectors, and expand access to public transportation

• Ensure a fair & just transition, led by impacted workers and communities, including low income and communities of color, without relying on corporate schemes or market-based mechanisms

• Uphold indigenous rights

• Pass a national jobs guarantee, creating good jobs with collective bargaining and family-sustaining wages.

Our actions have already changed the debate on climate politics and helped make the GND a reality. Not only is the Green New Deal about to be officially submitted to Congress as a joint resolution introduced by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), but agriculture is increasingly recognized to be an essential component. (Read Ronnie Cummins’ “A Call for the Food & Farming Movement to Get Behind the Green New Deal,” and Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s “A Green New Deal Must Include Food & Farming).”

It is critical that we get as many members of Congress as possible to support the GND. If you haven’t already, please ask your member of Congress to get on board with the GND!

Again, thanks so much for getting involved. The GND is our best hope for a healthier future!