AOC jumps on toxic wildfires as opportunity to push her Green New Deal that would bankrupt the nation and blames 'unprepared' world for global warming
- Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has used the ongoing wildfire smoke billowing across the east coast and rising temps to push her Green New Deal
- Critics insist the plan is too expensive and that renewable energy is not yet advanced enough to make such a rapid shift from fossil fuels
- It comes as over 100 million people have been placed under an air quality warning due to the hazardous smog
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez jumped on the raging wildfires in Canada as an opportunity to push her Green New Deal that risks bankrupting the nation and blames the 'unprepared' world for global warming.
The New York democrat tweeted on Wednesday in response to the hazardous smog that has engulfed the East Coast and record temperatures in Puerto Rico.
Taking to Twitter Ocasio-Cortez, 33, said: 'Between NYC in wildfire smoke and this in PR, it bears repeating how unprepared we are for the climate crisis.
'We must adapt our food systems, energy grids, infrastructure, healthcare, etc ASAP to prepare for what’s to come and catch up to what is already here.'
AOC then used the hashtag #GreenNewDeal at the end of her tweet, alluding to her proposed bill to end the nation's reliance on fossil fuels.
The New York Democrat (pictured) tweeted on Wednesday in response to the wildfires in Canada that have engulfed the East Coast and record temperatures in Puerto Rico
New York topped the list of most polluted major cities in the world on Tuesday night and again on Wednesday afternoon, as smoke from the fires continues to blanket the East Coast
People stand in Central Park as smoke from Canadian wildfires casts a haze over the area
Led by Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey, the two said the bill would be a vital step towards easing the climate crisis and putting the U.S. in poll position to capitalize on the switch to renewable energy.
Critics insist the plan is too expensive and that renewable energy is not yet advanced enough to make such a rapid shift from fossil fuels.
The right-leaning American Action Forum estimated after its release four years ago that the legislation could cost as much as $93 trillion over a decade.
On Twitter, social media users reacted with her anger to her remarks.
One person said: 'Spending trillions more we don’t have is not going to stop climate change.'
Another tweeted: 'You can't stop crime in your own district, yet you think you can fight mother nature?? Effing waste of more money.'
Meanwhile more than a dozen US states and over 100 million people are under air quality alerts, prompting many to start wearing pandemic-era masks.
Health experts warned breathing the fog can be as damaging as smoking 22 cigarettes a day.
Nanoparticles from the smog are so small they can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream, with side effects also including irritation to the eyes and throat as well as breathing problems.
A sheet of smoke from the wildfires first descended on New York on Tuesday before thickening throughout the afternoon and into Wednesday, leaving those in Manhattan unable to see the New Jersey skyline across the Hudson River.
As well as sending New Yorkers inside, air quality alerts were also introduced in states including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, Virginia and the Carolinas, according to the National Weather Service.
People wear protective masks as the Roosevelt Island Tram crosses the East River while haze and smoke from the Canadian wildfires shroud the Manhattan skyline
People walk at 6th Avenue as haze and smoke caused by wildfires in Canada blanket New York City
Traffic goes over the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge as the thick smog descended on the city
At around 10pm Tuesday, New York was briefly recorded as having the worst air pollution in the world, overtaking the Indian capital of Delhi.
The Big Apple took the top spot again on Wednesday afternoon when, according to the IQAir rankings, its air particle (PM2.5) concentration was 61 times worse than the WHO's guidelines.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged vulnerable residents to be cautious amid the crisis, as he also blamed climate change for the yellow skies.
'This may be the first time we've experienced something like this on this magnitude,' he said. 'Let me be clear, it's not the last.'
The city's health advisory warning has since been extended until 8pm Thursday, as officials warned residents to avoid strenuous activity outside and to stay indoors when possible.
