With freshman Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leading the charge, Democrats in Congress have unveiled their ambitious Green New Deal that would implement sweeping reforms with the promise to drastically reduce US carbon emissions while adding millions of jobs and investing heavily in American infrastructure.

On Thursday, Ms Ocasio-Cortez was joined by Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey in announcing the slate of measures, with reads as something of a progressive manifesto with the lofty ambition to overhaul the American economy and, hopefully, save the world from the dangers posed by climate change.

“Today is the day that we truly embark on a comprehensive agenda of economic, social and racial justice in the United States of America,” Ms Ocasio-Cortez said from outside the US Capitol.

“That’s what this agenda is all about,” she said. “Because climate change – climate change and our environmental changes are one of the biggest existential threats to our way of life – not just as a nation but as a world”.

In his remarks, Mr Markey compared the plan set forth by himself and Ms Ocasio-Cortez to the kinds of efforts taken before by American visionaries to bring astronauts to the moon.

Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Show all 25 1 /25 Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators block Westminster Bridge in central London to show anger at government inaction on climate and ecological issues AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges A pro environment protester is arrested by police on Lambeth bridge in London EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Organised by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges A demonstrator puts tape on her mouth as she takes part in a pro-environment protest blocking Westminster Bridge in central London on November 17, 2018, calling on the British government to take action on climate and ecological issues. - Organized by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to call for action on what they describe as a climate and ecological emergency. Extinction Rebellion demands that the UK government reduces to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and creates a citizens assembly to oversee changes in environmental policies. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Organised by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators on Blackfriars Bridge PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Police with demonstrators on Blackfriars Bridge PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators take part in a pro-environment protest as they block Westminster Bridge in central London on November 17, 2018, calling on the British government to take action on climate and ecological issues. - Organized by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to call for action on what they describe as a climate and ecological emergency. Extinction Rebellion demands that the UK government reduces to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and creates a citizens assembly to oversee changes in environmental policies. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges epa07172610 Pro environment protesters block Westminster bridge in central London, Britain, 17 November 2018. Reports state that the protest organized by Extinction Rebellion group is planning to close five main bridges across the river Thames, seeking to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges A demonstrator is led away by police on Blackfriars Bridge PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Environmental campaigners from the direct action group Rebellion demonstrate on Westminster Bridge in central London, Britain, November 17, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls PETER NICHOLLS Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Police with demonstrators on Westminster Bridge in London for a protest called by Extinction Rebellion to raise awareness of the dangers posed by climate change. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 17, 2018. See PA story PROTEST Rebellion. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Environmental campaigners from the direct action group Rebellion demonstrate on Westminster Bridge in central London, Britain, November 17, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls PETER NICHOLLS Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators take part in a pro-environment protest as they block Westminster Bridge, near the Houses of Parliament in central London on November 17, 2018, to show anger at government inaction on climate and ecological issues. - Organised by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators take part in a pro-environment protest as they block Westminster Bridge in central London on November 17, 2018, to show anger at government inaction on climate and ecological issues. - Organized by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Police with demonstrators on Westminster Bridge in London for a protest called by Extinction Rebellion to raise awareness of the dangers posed by climate change. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 17, 2018. See PA story PROTEST Rebellion. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges epa07173093 A pro environment protester infornt of police on Lambeth bridge in London, Britain, 17 November 2018. Reports state that the protest organized by Extinction Rebellion group is planning to close five main bridges across the river Thames, seeking to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges epa07172601 Pro environment protesters block Westminster bridge in central London, Britain, 17 November 2018. Reports state that the protest organized by Extinction Rebellion group is planning to close five main bridges across the river Thames, seeking to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges epa07172698 Pro environment protesters hold a placard as they block Westminster bridge in central London, Britain, 17 November 2018. Reports state that the protest organized by Extinction Rebellion group is planning to close five main bridges across the river Thames, seeking to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators on Westminster Bridge in London for a protest called by Extinction Rebellion to raise awareness of the dangers posed by climate change. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 17, 2018. See PA story PROTEST Rebellion. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Environmental campaigners from the direct action group Rebellion demonstrate on Westminster Bridge in central London, Britain, November 17, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls PETER NICHOLLS Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges epa07172703 Pro environment protesters hold a placard as they block Westminster bridge in central London, Britain, 17 November 2018. Reports state that the protest organized by Extinction Rebellion group is planning to close five main bridges across the river Thames, seeking to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators take part in a pro-environment protest as they block Westminster Bridge in central London on November 17, 2018, to show anger at government inaction on climate and ecological issues. - Organized by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges epa07172629 Pro environment protester holds a placard as they block Westminster bridge in central London, Britain, 17 November 2018. Reports state that the protest organized by Extinction Rebellion group is planning to close five main bridges across the river Thames, seeking to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Environmental campaigners from the direct action group Rebellion demonstrate on Westminster Bridge in central London, Britain, November 17, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls PETER NICHOLLS Reuters

“I say today that it is time for us to be bold once again," he said. "We have the technology to do it. We have the moral obligation. We have the economic imperative. We just need the political will to get this done. The sun is setting on the dirty energy of the past. Today marks the dawn of a new era of climate action".

Here’s what you need to know:

The deal is not a piece of legislation — it is a framework for a dramatic restructuring of the US economy

The resolution released by Ms Ocasio-Cortez and Mr Markey offer a range of actions that they view as necessary to combat the immense threats posed by climate change. It is also non-binding, meaning that it would not be necessary for the provisions to be enacted if it is voted on and passed.

With 60 House cosponsors and nine cosponsors in the Senate, the ideas put forth would include massive infrastructure investment challenges already posed by climate change, including efforts to mitigate the increasing impacts of drought, wildfires, and rising sea levels the world has already seen.

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The deal also focuses on economic concerns of Americans who are suffering from wage stagnation, and a growing wealth disparity in the country.

Altogether, the relatively short document released on Thursday by supporters of the deal includes a preamble, five goals, 14 projects, and 15 requirements.

The deal proposes a prescription to combat rising costs of climate change

Recent climate change reports have put forth dramatic predictions on how damaging climate change will be. Forests will burn as a result of drought, food will become scarce, coastal communities will flood, and any number of species on Earth could face significant hardship.

By 2100, according to some estimates, climate change could lead to as much as $500bn in lost output. Meanwhile, the United Nations warned late last year that the world has just 12 years to keep global temperatures from raising above 1.5C before risking any number of climate related catastrophes, a report that serves to underline the urgency of the deal put forth by Democrats on Thursday.

To combat those costs, the Green New Deal would call for a net-zero carbon emission output in the United States, achieved in part by investment in green American transportation and renewable energies. The loft goal set forth by Democrats would see that emission rate by 2030.

Vulnerable communities are a particular focus in the resolution

As climate change impacts are felt across the country and globe, those most vulnerable in society will be on the front lines, the document says.

That includes communities of color, indigenous people, migrant workers, and the elderly, amongst others.

“Climate change, pollution and environmental destruction have exacerbated systemic racial, regional, social, environment and economic injustices,” the resolution states.

The deal has been received with mixed reaction

While some groups praised the Green New Deal’s unveiling — including some 2020 Democratic hopefuls — not all are on board with the approach.

Progressive groups have criticized the effort for a lack of concrete actions within the resolution itself. The deal sets forth worthy and ambitious goals, those critics have said, but the climate crisis needs concrete legislation.