Why the Netherlands needs the Green New Deal (Image by DiEM25)
Halfway through 2019 Dutch society had alarm bells ringing because it had reached its hard Nitrogen-emissions limits. This prompted the Dutch Parliament and Cabinet to freeze all nitrogen-emitting activities which brought an abrupt and near full halt to Dutch society.
This all stemmed from the 2015 Nitrogen Law passed to monitor and issue permits to farmers and other businesses that emit Nitrogen containing substances. But these emissions are souring the soil in nature reserves that are part of the European Union Natura 2000 program. So, when the Highest Civil court in the land, the Raad van State, ruled the legislation to be unlawful in its assumption that future emissions would be reduced, a crisis ensued; 18,000 permits were suspended or denied. This made the Cabinet look for answers.