The Green Jobs Now Blog
On offshore drilling
In the midst of our posts about the opportunity, promise, and necessity for Green Jobs Now, I want to take a moment to weigh in on the big environmental issue du jour: offshore drilling. A recent report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research reveals that the media has largely ignored the facts: that offshore oil drilling would have no significant impact on the price of oil.
Article and pic from Georgia: Leaders plan to cash in on 'green-collar' jobs
"We're on the precipice of a great opportunity to move people from poverty to living-wage jobs," said Joe White, project manager of Green World Promotions, a local organization dedicated to green initiatives. "Millions of dollars are coming through Congress for green-jobs training. We want to make sure our state department of labor gets a significant portion of those funds, so that money can make it to our community."
Coal River Wind Project: fighting for clean energy in Appalachia
Congratulations to our friends at the Coal River Mountain Wind Project, who just won an award from Co-op America for their battle to save Coal River Mountain in southern West Virginia from destructive mining by building a wind farm in the location. Read the full article and view videos of their work.
Video: 9 Steps to Organizing your Event
Read the 9 Step guide here: http://www.greenjobsnow.com/hq/9-steps
Visit the Organizer's HQ for other tips and tools here:
http://www.greenjobsnow.com/hq
Another hot video on the green economy: Biofuels High
This video and Green Jobs Revolution were produced by Working Films and the Everything's Cool campaign.
Green Jobs Revolution (video)
One of the best way to show people what green jobs are all about is through videos like this one. Check out what Growing Home is doing to build a green economy on the South Side of Chicago.
Share your stories of building a green economy with us, through video or through our blog. Email blog@greenjobsnow.com.
New event for vocational program in Seattle
Bob Markholt and the Seattle Vocational Institute are planning a Green jobs Now event in Seattle. Check out this article about them, from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 7/27/08. They're working to add a green curriculum in the near future.
Organizers Richard and Ashel talk about ATL event
Richard is organizing with college students in Atlanta, to do energy audits and distribute fluorescent light bulbs in the weeks leading up to September 27th.
Green Jobs Now announced to the Press
On Friday August 8th, Green For All, 1Sky, and the We Campaign announced Green Jobs Now to the press. An excerpt from the press release:
The National Day of Action brings together diverse groups and individuals to urge our government to make an even greater investment in green jobs and clean energy. The events are spotlighting low-income communities and communities of color. These two groups would be hardest hit by a climate catastrophe. But they have the most to gain in the green jobs/climate change conversation.Read the full press release here. Download the PDF here.
“Green Jobs Now is happening the day after the first Presidential Debate,” said Josh Lynch, Organizer for the Green Jobs Now Day of Action. “People all over the country are planning teach-ins, block parties, service events, and celebratory rallies for September 27th. The events will show the diversity that is America, but everyone will have the same message for Obama and McCain: Green Jobs Now.”
The first "I'm Ready" photo shoot
A couple of weeks ago (7/22), Green For All hosted the first Green Jobs Now photo shoot. Dozens of people booked plane tickets, took a couple of days off work, and flocked to San Francisco for the opportunity to don hard hats and hold up organic vegetables for these iconic photographs. Ok, not really.
Chicago is Ready
Patrick Brown, who trains workers for the Greencorps Chicago green-collar jobs program, says: "Chicago is ready... On the West side we've been waiting for this time, one chance one voice. We're ready for the new Green Economy and all that comes with it. I want the world to know that the time is now for us. And we're ready."
What the heck are green jobs?
Are you're thinking about getting involved with Green Jobs Now, but don't know what exactly a green job is? Here's a quick and easy Green Jobs 101 homework assignment:
Listen to the Green Jobs Now conference call
On Thursday, July 24th, the organizers of Green Jobs Now held a national conference call to announce the national day of action to our friends and partners. This is a great resource for any event organizers who are seeking information and inspiration. Hear from Green For All President Van Jones, 1Sky Campaign Director Gillian Caldwell, grassroots leaders, and others...
Download and listen: here
