WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez launched her first day of orientation for new members by participating in a climate change protest in the office of minority leader in the House, Nancy Pelosi .

About 200 people were in the lobby of the Pelosi office and in the corridor, including the 29-year-old New York Democrat.

Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, said she wanted to show Pelosi that "we are here to support her in her drive for 100% renewable energy".

"It's not about me, it's not about the dynamics of personalities," she told the press outside the Pelosi office. "But it is about making the voice heard and making it clear that we need a Green New Deal and that we need to switch to 100% renewable energy because our lives depend on it."

The event was organized by the Sunrise Movement, which mobilizes young people to fight climate change and calls for more green jobs.

Pelosi, in a statement, reiterated that she had asked her caucus to reinstate the small committee tasked with combating climate change. Democrats have campaigned for a $ 1 trillion investment in infrastructure reform that it says will boost community resilience and create 16 million "new high-paying jobs".

"We are inspired by the energy and activism of many young activists and advocates fighting the climate crisis that threatens the health, economic security and future of all our communities," Pelosi said. "We welcome the presence of these activists and urge the Capitol Police to allow them to continue to organize and participate in our democracy."

Protesters with "Green Jobs for All" signs are calling for a more ambitious plan. They point to alarming warnings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, saying there is still 12 years left to limit the damage caused by climate change.

More: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a new youngest member of Congress, says she can not afford to buy an apartment in residence

Related: These are the first stories for women, minorities and LGBTQ candidates in 2018

"We are here because we are scared and we are angry," said Garrett Blad, spokesperson for the Sunrise Movement. "We do not think we need more education or more science."

Ocasio-Cortez said she was considering the issue not only as an elected member of Congress, but also as a 29-year-old woman concerned over the country over the next 30 years.

"I do not want to see Miami under water," she said. "I do not want to see my district under water, and I know Chief Pelosi does not do it either."

Ocasio-Cortez is not one of the newly-elected Democrats who said they would vote against Pelosi's candidacy for the presidency of the next Congress.

Spokesman for House Speaker Paul Ryan took the opportunity to mock Pelosi.

"Uh, well, it's unconventional," AshLee Strong wrote in an e-mail to reporters. "The new worker is being protested by one of her freshmen."

Ocasio-Cortez said that she admired that Pelosi comes from a "space of activism and organization".

"I think she really enjoys civic engagement," she said.

She then added, "What I hope we will show is that it is an encouragement to her and that we are here to support a bold action."

Read or share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/11/13/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-nancy-pelosi/1987514002/