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The Clean Energy Bill Story You Haven't Heard Jun 30, 2009 The Huffington Post: In these days following the House of Representatives' passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), there's a wide range of opinions on the implications of this massive bill - particularly among progressive and environmental groups.
House Passes Landmark Climate Change Bill, Now Heads to Senate Jun 26, 2009 GreenBiz.com: The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a sweeping climate change bill today that will significantly change the way Americans use and produce energy.
$150 billion = 1.7 million green jobs Jun 26, 2009 Mother Nature Network: A new report by Green for All looks at the effect a $150 billion investment would have on green jobs in the U.S.
Green Jobs for Black People: Victory in the House Jun 26, 2009 Jack & Jill Politics: Today, the House passed a major and historic clean energy bill (ACES). In the midst of all the Michael Jackson coverage, you may miss a little-engine-that-could story of how a group of unlikely allies secured key “equity provisions” in the bill. It also shows that Green for All remains a potent force for good even as founder Van Jones has moved into the White House and Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, the new CEO of Green For All, has led us to a big win for the African-American community at large.
$500M in Labor Department Grants Available for Green Job Training Programs Jun 24, 2009 Reuters: Grant competitions opened today for $500 million in Recovery Act funds for training programs that will help retool the U.S. workforce for a clean energy economy.
Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, champion of the working American Jun 22, 2009 The Stimulist: Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, the Robin Hood of Silicon Valley, is America's new Queen of Green
Report touts green investment: 2,920 jobs could be created in northern Ohio Jun 20, 2009 The Morning Journal: Investing $290 million in clean energy projects would create 2,920 jobs around northern Ohio, according to a new report.
Green projects create extra benefits - jobs Jun 19, 2009 The Tennessean: Reports cite value of investments
Two reports see jobs boon in spending on clean energy Jun 19, 2009 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Two reports released Thursday project that if $150 billion were spent annually on clean energy rather than fossil fuels, the United States would see a net gain of 1.7 million jobs each year.
Report: Clean energy could create 39K jobs in Tenn. Jun 19, 2009 Nashville Business Journal: Tennessee could create some 39,000 jobs and bring in $3 billion in investment revenue as the result of a $150 billion investment in a clean energy economy, according to two reports released Thursday.
Reports: Clean-energy shift adds jobs Jun 19, 2009 The News-Sentinel: State could get 38,000, environmental groups say.
Report: Clean energy bill would produce jobs, boost economy Jun 19, 2009 Missourinet: As clean energy and climate legislation moves through Congress, new data show that a $2.9 billion investment would create 36,000 new jobs in Missouri.
More Studies Extol Virtues of Green Jobs Jun 18, 2009 The New York Times: Following on the heels of a study from the Pew Charitable Trusts last week, two more reports from a broad coalition of environmental groups and research institutes suggest that clean-energy investments have the potential to kick-start the economy and employ millions of workers — particularly those at the lower end of the economic scale.
Low-income communities and the clean energy bill Jun 18, 2009 Jack & Jill Politics: In “Green Prosperity”, top economists further confirm what we already know: Investments in clean energy are good for low-income people and the U.S economy.
Report: Las Vegas could be magnet for green jobs Jun 18, 2009 Las Vegas Sun: Clean energy emphasis could produce 5,000 new jobs, says report
Clean-Energy Investment Could Boost Arkansas Economy, Reports Say Jun 18, 2009 ArkansasBusiness.com: Several environmental and energy groups released reports Thursday that detail what clean energy and climate legislation moving through Congress could mean for the state.
Green Economy Investments Bring 300 Percent More Jobs, Reports Find Jun 18, 2009 GreenBiz.com: Two new reports on the impacts of moving to a low-carbon economy show putting money toward energy efficiency, building retrofits and renewable energy projects can create 1.7 million new jobs, significantly more than the same investment in fossil fuel industries.
Will clean energy hurt low-income Americans? Jun 18, 2009 Anderson Cooper 360: A common argument among opponents of strong climate and energy legislation is that transitioning to clean energy will hurt the economy and low-income Americans.
Green Jobs Take Youth Miles High Jun 18, 2009 Sojourners: When La’Kyla Byrd cleared trails and tended to trees in Denver’s City Park this past year as a member of Mile High Youth Corps, she also cleared a path for herself and three siblings out of the violent and drug-infested neighborhood of their childhood into college and service-oriented futures.
Voices of the ReGeneration: Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of Green for All Jun 18, 2009 ReGeneration: We recently had the chance to ask Ms. Ellis-Lamkins a few questions about Green For All, her role in the organization, and what is next for the movement. We naturally jumped at the opportunity.
New reports highlight Florida clean energy job creation and impact of cap and trade legislation Jun 17, 2009 TampaBay.com, St. Petersburg Times: Several new studies this week indicate that clean energy investments will bring benefits in Florida for job creation, consumer savings and economic opportunities. Another report says any negative economic impact from federal cap and trade legislation to limit heat-trapping gases, will be "very modest or even negligible."
Green collar job creation 'outstripped traditional sectors in US' Jun 10, 2009 guardian.co.uk: Report on US job figures up to 2007 also says wind and solar sectors resisting recession better than traditional manufacturing
Expanded Coalitions Support U.S. Climate Bill Jun 08, 2009 Worldwatch Institute: In an effort to broaden support for sweeping climate legislation, environmentalists are forming atypical alliances with other progressive social organizations.
GM's Fall Can Become Green Economy's Rise Jun 03, 2009 change.org: "De-carbonizing" the US economy means slashing our reliance on fossil energy to drive job growth and wealth, and replacing it with naturally-replenished, clean energy sources and materials.
Green For All CEO Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, Joe Scarborough Agree on Climate and Energy Jun 02, 2009 Treehugger: Yesterday, Green For All CEO Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins was a guest on MSNBC's Morning Joe, along with Tom Brokaw, Donny Deutsch and host Joe Scarborough. Phaedra, like her predecessor at Green for All, Van Jones, spoke beautifully about the intersection of green progress and economic well-being.
Morning Joe: Turning America Green Jun 01, 2009 MSNBC: Green For All CEO Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins on Morning Joe.
Biden takes stage to tout green economy May 29, 2009 Colorado Statesman: Vice President Joe Biden was back in Denver Tuesday touting the middle class and the rise of “green collar” jobs for Americans hit hardest by the economic recession.
Green Jobs: Hope or Hype? May 29, 2009 PBS Now: Will "green jobs" revitalize the American economy?
Frito-Lay's SunChips Brand and National Geographic Team With Eco Ambassadors to Celebrate People Taking Small Steps for Big Change May 29, 2009 CNBC: SunChips, a brand of Frito-Lay North America, a division of PepsiCo, and National Geographic announced today that environmental experts and green champions, along with American consumers, will help determine the winners of its "Green Effect" national contest, now underway.
Green-Collar Jobs to Watch Out For May 29, 2009 PBS Now: What is a green-collar job? The simplest definition of comes from Green for All founder Van Jones: "A green-collar job is a blue-collar job, upgraded to better respect the environment."
Van Jones, Hilda Solis, Joe Biden announce $4b to upgrade public housing May 28, 2009 Daily Kos: This news follows green jobs adviser Van Jones's recommendations on what to do with recovery funds.
Hard Hats Swarm to Smart Energy May 28, 2009 OnEarth: On an early spring morning in a classroom in New York City's hardscrabble East Harlem neighborhood, a group of four dozen young adults listens intently to a presentation by Elizabeth Yeampierre, president of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance.
Let’s green Allegany County May 26, 2009 Cumberland Times-News: Now that the controversial wind turbine issue is reaching a closure, I urge our county commissioners to focus on launching a green energy program that we can all support, and would be locally owned.
Helping the Earth can profit you, too May 21, 2009 The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg.com: Germanna holds conference on green jobs
Green-jobs evangelist sells Obama's ambitious plans May 19, 2009 Mercury News, Contra Costa Times: Oakland activist envisions jobs in clean technology
Local teacher, social advocate to speak in D.C. May 19, 2009 Seattle PI: Help save the environment, give jobs to society's forgotten men and jump-start the economy. All at the same time. It's a big task, but that's what Bob Markholt is trying to do.
San Francisco Moves Ahead with Plans to Build 5MW Solar Farm May 15, 2009 GreenBiz.com: SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- San Francisco took a major step today toward building California's largest solar photovoltaic system -- a plan that would more than triple the city's solar energy output by carpeting the rooftop of its biggest reservoir with almost 25,000 panels.
Green Jobs For All May 14, 2009 Social Earth: Green For All is helping to create jobs, redevelop urban communities, and help the environment by rallying for clean energy. These jobs are important opportunities for low-income people to help support their families, do something great for themselves, the environment and other people in the process.
Working Families Party readies green-jobs push May 14, 2009 Crain's New York Business: The labor-backed Working Families Party—known for its aggressive campaigns advocating taxes on the rich and protesting against subway fare increases—is now looking to conserve a little energy and create jobs in the process. The group’s policy arm, the Center for Working Families, will unveil a strategy Friday for New York state to achieve wide-scale, energy-efficient retrofits of 1 million housing units during the next five years. The program would create more than 14,000 full-time jobs over its five-year life. Pay would be pegged at living wage in the different areas where work will be performed, and contractors would receive preferences for local hiring.
Former mechanic looking to find a "green-collar job" May 12, 2009 The Power of 7: NEOSHO, MO. - With layoffs and stores closing, working adults are looking for alternative job options. One Neosho mechanic found his alternative in energy resources. Jeff Glenn is a husband, father, and had a career as a mechanic all his life until he was layed off earlier this year. "In the back of your mind it's 'I need to go back to school because that's where the jobs are,'" he says. Jeff enrolled in Crowder College, he's learning skills that will ready him for a job in alternative energy, a growing field.
Taking a Stand for People and the Planet May 08, 2009 USC News: During a recent ceremony, Green for All founding president Van Jones was honored with USC College’s second annual Sustainability Champion Award. Jones’ Oakland-based green jobs advocacy group strives to resolve the ecological crisis while lifting millions from poverty.
Top 9 green video blogs May 07, 2009 Mother Nature Network: Go green YouTube-style with these great green video blogs.
A green jobs charter high school May 04, 2009 Mother Nature Network: Phoenix may soon get funding for a combined charter school and community college campus that focuses on green jobs training.
Van Jones May 04, 2009 Time Magazine: When Van Jones was tapped to serve as special adviser on green jobs at the White House Council on Environmental Quality earlier this year, the appointment was heralded as a significant development for the green movement. And for good reason. A pioneer in fusing economic opportunity and social justice with environmentalism, Jones, 40, represents an important progression in our country's perception and thus our approach to combatting global warming.
First 100 Days: Green power energy initiatives may light up the L.A. job market Apr 29, 2009 Los Angeles Wave: Growing energy needs across the Southland are shaping the region’s future, and President Obama’s agenda is providing opportunities in several arenas.
Green-collar Jobs: Equal Pay for Equal Work Apr 28, 2009 Huffington Post: Today is Equal Pay Day, a national day of awareness to draw attention to the lingering gap between women's and men's wages.
Lifting all boats Apr 27, 2009 Sustainable Industries: Any new job has its learning curve. But when Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, the recently-appointed CEO of green job advocacy organization Green For All, started her new gig, she stepped into a flurry of activity as government, business and other groups compete for billions of stimulus dollars and sort out in-the-works legislation.
Will a Greener World Be Fairer, Too? Apr 24, 2009 Solve Climate: The impact of climate legislation stretches well beyond the environment. Climate policy will significantly impact jobs, energy prices, entrepreneurial opportunities, and more.
Inslee-Sarbanes Clean Energy Service Corps Becomes Law Apr 23, 2009 American Chronicle
Getting in on the Green Ground Floor Apr 22, 2009 The Root: African Americans have traditionally been last in line for America’s economic advances. The burgeoning green movement offers an opportunity to change that.
Van Jones: The Face of Green Jobs Apr 19, 2009 Reuters: Years before it was announced that Van Jones, the premiere green-jobs advocate in the country, was headed to the White House, it was clear that Van Jones was headed to the White House. Thomas Friedman devoted an entire 2007 column to Jones, writing of his lofty goals, "I would not underestimate him." Jones muscled his way through Congress to get a Green Jobs Act passed in 2007 and then lavished praise on Nancy Pelosi and now-Labor Secretary, then-Congresswoman Hilda Solis. Pelosi returned the favor with a rave book blurb for Jones' 2008 best-seller The Green Collar Economy, writing that Jones possessed "sparkling intelligence, powerful vision, and deep empathy."
(No) Drill, Baby, Drill Apr 17, 2009 New York Times: Liberia, Costa Rica. Sailing down Costa Rica’s Tempisque River on an eco-tour, I watched a crocodile devour a brown bass with one gulp. It took only a few seconds. The croc’s head emerged from the muddy waters near the bank with the footlong fish writhing in its jaws. He crunched it a couple of times with razor-sharp teeth and then, with just the slightest flip of his snout, swallowed the fish whole. Never saw that before.
Imported Lies: Debunking the Spanish Green Jobs Smear Apr 16, 2009 Switchboard: Spain is a country known for its romance, wine and bullfighting. But when it comes to economics and green jobs, it seems we're getting more bull than much else.
Climate Equity Hits Home Apr 16, 2009 Good Magazine: The great tragic irony of climate change is that the worst suffering and biggest burden will fall upon the most innocent people. That is to say that those least responsible for the greenhouse gasses accumulating in our atmosphere are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of a warming planet. It is also to say that, if solutions aren’t approached prudently, the poor—the very people who have done the least to cause the problem—will pay a disproportionately high price as we transition towards a new low-carbon world.
New climate alliance forms with some big names behind it Apr 08, 2009 Climate Wire: Some of the most influential organizations in Washington, D.C., are teaming up to advocate for low-income people under climate legislation. The new Climate Equity Alliance, incorporating two dozen groups ranging from international relief giant Oxfam America to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), is launching today with the release of six principles aimed directly at Congress as it drafts a global warming bill.
Why the Green Economy Needs You Apr 02, 2009 Planet Green: Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of Green For All, on how we can—and will—align our failing economy and ailing environment.
Retraining America's workforce Mar 30, 2009 Sustainable Industries: With the national unemployment rate continuing to trudge upward and dismal economic news stealing the headlines daily, a record number of Americans are deciding to hit the books. Post-secondary education is luring thousands of laid-off workers with the promise of readying them for jobs in the highly touted “green” jobs sector.
My Father Deserves Spectacular Results Mar 26, 2009 NPR: Van Jones is a special adviser to the White House Council on Environmental Quality. He founded Green For All, a green jobs advocacy group based in Oakland, Calif. Jones is author of The Green Collar Economy.
Green Streets: O Interviews Van Jones Mar 24, 2009 O Magazine: Putting two at-risk entities together—the environment and inner-city kids—activist Van Jones has come up with a plan to save both. And now that he's got some friends in high places, his ideas are about to take off.
Clean Energy Jobs: From the Lab to the Manufacturing Line to the Living Room Mar 23, 2009 The White House Blog: On Monday, March 23rd, 2009 the President held an event focused on "Investing in Our Clean Energy Future" -- we asked Greg Nelson of the Office of Public Liaison to give us a rundown of what the event was all about.
The blues and the greens Mar 22, 2009 The Courier Journal: Kentucky's poorest counties are also nation's saddest
California's clean-tech training good for green Mar 19, 2009 Super Eco: California’s pumping some fresh, young green blood into the emerging Green Collar Economy. Over the next two decades, the $20 million good-for-green biofuel injection will take shape as the California Green Corps, a free “clean-tech” training program for 1,000 at-risk 16- to 24-year-olds.
From Pollution-Based to Inclusively Green Mar 19, 2009 Black Enterprise: With the American Recovery and Investment Act allotting millions of dollars in support of green-collar training, weatherization, and more energy-efficient infrastructure, now is a ripe time for minority entrepreneurs to jump into an industry that can not only help communities, but be good for bottom lines.
A mal tiempo, empleo verde Mar 17, 2009 El Mundo: Dan las doce en el reloj de Richmond (California) y los futuros currantes verdes hacen un alto en la jornada. Humberto Vázquez, que trabajaba como repartidor de DHL hasta que golpeó la crisis, aprende ahora a instalar placas fotovoltaicas. Lefario Hall, que mascaba el tiempo en una tienda de ultramarinos a nueve dólares la hora, aspira a convertirse en experto en eficiencia energética. Michelle Hayhurst, curtida en una fábrica de azulejos, reivindica el papel de las mujeres en la nueva economía verde.
A Labor Leader for Good Jobs and a Clean Environment Mar 17, 2009 New America Media: An interview with new Green For All CEO Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins
Working for a greener Vallejo Mar 16, 2009 Times Herald: Janna Besh hopes to make Vallejo a little greener. Inspired by the work of Oakland-based Van Jones -- recently tapped by President Barack Obama as his adviser for green jobs -- Besh founded the Solano Green Alliance in January.
Where are our green visionaries? Mar 16, 2009 The Canberra Times: There's a wave of green euphoria sweeping cyberspace following the announcement that environmental and social justice activist Van Jones will be special adviser on green jobs to the Obama administration.
Editorial: Van Jones' appointment is good for the Bay Area Mar 13, 2009 Oakland Tribune: WE APPLAUD PRESIDENT Barack Obama's selection of the Bay Area's own Van Jones as a "green jobs" adviser to the White House. In his new role, starting Monday, the longtime Bay Area activist will help craft and advocate for the Obama administration's new energy and environmental agenda.
Van Jones' selection a stellar achievement Mar 11, 2009 Jackson Sun: Congratulations to Jackson-born attorney Van Jones. He has been named to a position in the Obama White House. In that position, he will oversee spending of stimulus money that is tabbed for "green" jobs. It is a huge honor for Jones, and an achievement of which we can all be proud.
Bay Area activist to advise Obama on green jobs Mar 11, 2009 SF Chronicle: Bay Area environmental activist and author Van Jones will join the Obama administration as adviser for green jobs, enterprise and innovation, the White House Council on Environmental Quality announced Tuesday.
Obama picks Van Jones to be green jobs adviser Mar 10, 2009 Climate Progress
Cindy Chavez likely to replace Ellis-Lamkins as South Bay Labor Council leader Mar 10, 2009 Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal: The South Bay AFL–CIO Labor Council said Tuesday that Executive Officer Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins has resigned and will likely be replaced by former San Jose City Councilmember and Vice-Mayor Cindy Chavez.
A new Van-tage point Mar 10, 2009 Gristmill: Van Jones talks to Grist about his new job as Obama's green jobs guru
Former San Jose mayoral candidate expected to lead South Bay labor movement Mar 10, 2009 San Jose Mercury News
Obama's 'green jobs handyman' ready to serve Mar 10, 2009 New York Times Greenwire: Van Jones is an author, activist and agitator on environmental and human rights issues. But when he starts a White House job next week, just don't call him the green jobs "czar."
In Environmental Push, Looking to Add Diversity Mar 09, 2009 New York Times: When Jerome C. Ringo joined the board of the National Wildlife Federation in 1995, he was the only African-American at the meetings.
Retirees become Isles unto others at nonprofit Mar 09, 2009 NJ Biz: The Trenton nonprofit Isles manages a diverse portfolio of programs, from its YouthBuild alternative high school that guides at-risk teens into careers, to the home rehab program that’s housed hundreds of urban families and the financial self-reliance program that makes microloans to fledgling businesses.
Van Jones: Beyond the Politics of Confrontation Mar 09, 2009 Yes Magazine: When I first met Van Jones in 2004, he was working in Oakland with young people of color who were being funneled from inadequate schools and impoverished neighborhoods into overcrowded courts and detention centers. Jones was speaking at a beachside peace conference that day, trying to explain his world to a predominantly white, middle-class audience. When he spoke of his newborn son and the steep odds against his future success, the audience got it. The next economy needs to be both green and just, Van said. It needs to include those left out of the last economy. Van later founded Green for All, became a YES! contributing editor, and now speaks widely about the need for a transition to a just and green economy. I interviewed him shortly after the election of Barack Obama.
Stimulus can energize Asheville's green economy Mar 09, 2009 Citizen Times: ASHEVILLE – In the green industry of tomorrow, electricians will wire solar panels with the aid of instructions loaded into an iPod.
Pelosi pitches green message in SF Mar 07, 2009 ABC Local: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi thinks going green is the key to helping California out of its spiraling unemployment. She met with local leaders Saturday to explain her plan.
Speaking truth to power Mar 07, 2009 Mother Nature Network: Washington welcomes thousands of eco-minded student activists to Power Shift 2009.
17 Players Who Could Make or Break Cap and Trade Mar 03, 2009 Mother Jones: Are Nancy Pelosi, Henry Waxman, and Van Jones hot? Or not? You decide.
Growing excitement, expectations for green jobs corps Mar 02, 2009 CNN.com
Clean Energy Corps Proposed to Create Jobs, Fight Global Warming Mar 02, 2009 Environment News Service
Youth Find Hope in Economic Climate Shift Mar 02, 2009 Truth Out: An estimated 10,000 young people descended on Washington over the weekend to press lawmakers to take action on climate change and to support the burgeoning green economy. The four-day conference known as Powershift 09 culminates today with a keynote address by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a day of lobbying Congress members on issues ranging from reducing carbon emissions to creating green jobs.
Going green means tweaking skills Mar 02, 2009 Delaware Online: Many workers can apply experience to new technologies; some may need training
Moving on a 'clean energy corps' Feb 28, 2009 Times Union: Group urges U.S. Rep. Tonko to help create federal program
Perez talks 'green' with Joe Biden Feb 28, 2009 The Desert Sun: Assemblyman attends task force summit with vice president
Biden brings 'green' push to Philadelphia Feb 28, 2009 The Philadelphia Inquirer: Vice President Biden convened the White House's Middle Class Task Force in Philadelphia yesterday for a daylong inaugural hearing on the promise of prosperity in thousands of "green" jobs expected to be created by the drives to make the nation energy-independent and reduce global warming.
The Future of Clean Energy Feb 27, 2009 Center For American Progress
Green jobs are a way to aid the middle class Feb 27, 2009 The Philadelphia Inquirer: Today, in Philadelphia, the White House Task Force on Middle Class Families is holding its inaugural meeting. Our charge is to assess current polices and develop new ones aimed at helping the middle class, the economic engine of this country.
Biden, Luminaries Promote Green Jobs Feb 27, 2009 The New York Times
Joe knows Feb 27, 2009 Gristmill.org: Biden's Middle Class Task Forces asks some tough questions about green jobs
Power Shift begins with moving speakers, Santogold Feb 27, 2009 The Lantern: Mattie Reitman's fondest memory of his first night at Power Shift '09 in Washington D.C. was the view from the grand staircase of the convention center.
Student activists hit Washington to push for climate bill Feb 27, 2009 Greenwire: Droves of student activists are arriving in Washington for a weekend of rallies, panel discussions, concerts and lobbying for federal action on global warming.
Kentucky's 'clean energy corps' to weatherize 10,000 homes Feb 26, 2009 Courier Journal: State officials will launch a "clean energy corps" in Lexington today, seeking to provide "weatherization on steroids" to as many as 10,000 low-income households in Kentucky.
A good week for green jobs Feb 25, 2009 The White House: One thing you will continue to hear a lot about out of the Obama Administration is green jobs, fulfilling a vision that has been developed around the country for years – we asked Greg Nelson of the Office of Public Liaison to give us an overview of what’s going on right now.
Van Jones, Majora Carter and the Green Jobs Movement Feb 25, 2009 Berkeley Daily Planet: In February 2006, Majora Carter, co-founder of Green for All, delivered an impassioned address to a gathering of environmentalists. When she presented a poster that read “Green is the new Black,” the audience burst into applause.
Corzine lauds green-collar jobs training at program launch in Trenton Feb 24, 2009 NJBiz.com: TRENTON — Gov. Jon S. Corzine today helped launch a training program that will create hundreds of so-called green-collar jobs for high school graduates.
Power Shift '09 descending on D.C. on February 27 Feb 20, 2009 SF Examiner: On Friday, Feb. 27, an estimated 10,000 youths will be descending upon Washington, D.C., for the weekend to make a statement about the importance of tackling the issue of climate change and the role that green jobs will play in helping reinvigorate the economy.
Van Jones Speaks, Celebrates Martin Luther King's Vision Feb 19, 2009 City on a Hill Press: Two hundred years after Abraham Lincoln was born and 100 years after the NAACP was founded, the 25th annual Martin Luther King Convocation was held at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium.
Social justice groups watching how $787B is distributed Feb 18, 2009 New Haven Register: For decades, government researchers, scholars, foundations and nonprofits have documented racial disparities across income, educational attainment, homeownership, wealth accumulation, health status, incarceration and employment, a report released Tuesday notes.
NC green power jobs expected to grow from stimulus Feb 18, 2009 Forbes.com: The $787 billion federal stimulus package signed into law Tuesday was expected to mean more than $163 million in spending on North Carolina energy efficiency projects in the next two years, money that could pump new life into businesses that offer energy alternatives.
Building Green Houses for the Poor Feb 17, 2009 Time Magazine
The Stimulus: A Down Payment on a Green Future Feb 17, 2009 The Huffington Post: Van Jones in the Huffington Post on the American Recovery And Reinvestment Act.
Van Jones and the Green New Deal Feb 09, 2009 HTML Times: For the fifth issue of the htmltimes, we are honored to present an interview with social and environmental justice activist and Yale Law graduate Van Jones.
Good Clean Jobs Feb 08, 2009 The Root: America no longer has to choose between creating well-paying jobs and protecting the environment.
Green, clean and energized in Pa. Feb 07, 2009 Philadelphia Inquirer: The talk was of job opportunities, worker training programs, and a flourishing state economy. One manager from a Kennett Square firm said her clean-energy company was hiring - and expanding - throughout the United States.
California Work Program for Young Is Threatened Feb 07, 2009 The New York Times: MOUNT TAMALPAIS STATE PARK, Calif. — An hour before sunrise, Jason Prue, a shaggy-haired member of a California Conservation Corps work crew, stood scrubbing a breakfast dish in the rain, shaking off a night of sleeping in a wet tent and loving every minute of it.
A sustainable GOAL for the future Feb 06, 2009 The Brandeis Hoot: If you’ve ever walked the aisles of the local Hannaford’s or Walgreens you’ve probably noticed that going green doesn’t come cheap. Like many other things, many people would say you can’t put a price on saving the environment. But with products that are environmentally but hardly wallet friendly, it would certainly seem you can.
Palm Beach Community College's 'green' degree offers hope to jobless Feb 06, 2009 Palm Beach Post: It fell to Palm Beach Community College Associate Dean Sam Freas to explain the school's new Electrical Power Technology degree during a recent open house for prospective students. But what the booming Philadelphia native really peddled was hope.
Day 3 of the Good Jobs Green Jobs Conference Feb 06, 2009 The Sierra Club: Phew - the end of the Good Jobs Green Jobs Conference. I found out that the final estimate for attendance was more than 2,600 people - what a crowd!
SCENE & HEARD: Recycling can also help restore people Feb 05, 2009 Idaho Statesman: What do you see when you look at an empty wine bottle? Is it an item to be cast aside, added to the piles of other discarded items removed from our view?
Tennessee goes green Feb 03, 2009 Chatanooga Times Free Press: States eager to tap conservation, renewable energy
Green Jobs 101: How to Snag Eco-Employment Feb 03, 2009 Earth First: Looking for a green collar job? You’re far from alone. Even with the tanking economy, lots of people are putting their hopes into the prediction that millions of green jobs are coming our way in the next few years – especially since many believe that green jobs and economic recovery will go hand-in-hand. Here’s EarthFirst’s guide to green jobs, helping you learn more about what’s out there, how to get training and where to apply.
Doing the Recovery Right Jan 28, 2009 The Nation: For most of the past generation, the aims of environmental sustainability and social justice were seen as equally worthy, yet painfully and unavoidably in conflict. Tree huggers and spotted owls were pitted against loggers and hard hats. Fighting global warming was held to inevitably worsen global poverty and vice versa. Indeed, the competing demands of the environmental and social justice agendas were frequently cited as a classic example of how public policy choices were fraught with trade-offs and unintended consequences--how you could end up doing harm while seeking only to do good.
Help Wanted For Green Jobs Jan 28, 2009 CBS News: The Nation: The Movement For A Green Economy Needs "Megawatts, Not Just Megawords"
Good Paying Green Collar Jobs Growing in California Jan 28, 2009 Tree Hugger
Tapping green-collar job opportunities in Colorado Jan 27, 2009 Denver Energy Careers Examiner
Green Jobs: Good Work If Youth Can Find It Jan 27, 2009 The Nation
Green jobs as a silver lining Jan 27, 2009 Indy Week
California shows 'green' emerging as contributor to growth, group says Jan 25, 2009 LA Times: Eco-industry jobs are expanding faster than other areas, according to a report by Next 10.
Seeger, Van Jones Embrace the Way of the Gun Jan 22, 2009 Tree Hugger
The Rumpus Interview with Van Jones Jan 22, 2009 The Rumpus: Van Jones is an award-winning activist, bestselling author, orator, and political advisor. I helped him birth his first book, The Green Collar Economy (Harper One, 2008).
A New Economy Has Already Begun Jan 21, 2009 Berkeley Daily Planet
D.C. Gets its Close-up Jan 19, 2009 Huffington Post
Green-collar economy taking root in Chicago Jan 19, 2009 Chicago Tribune: Efforts aim to marry environment, enterprise
Trip the light Vantastic Jan 16, 2009 Gristmill: Must-read: Van Jones and the English language
Van Jones and the Green Revolution Jan 16, 2009 The Nation
Van Jones To Congress: ‘We Can Build A Green Economy Dr. King Would Be Proud Of’ Jan 16, 2009 The Wonk Room: Our guest blogger is Center for American Progress senior fellow Van Jones, CEO of Green For All, who testified yesterday before the first hearing of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. This is his testimony.
Stimulating discussion Jan 16, 2009 Gristmill: Observations and reflections from a House hearing on stimulus, efficiency, and green jobs
A Green Future for All Americans Jan 15, 2009 Huffington Post
Obama and the Vision Thing Jan 14, 2009 Huffington Post
Newark dons a 'green collar' with construction training program Jan 13, 2009 Star-Ledger
Not just a dream: Obama sparks black men to action Jan 12, 2009 The Associated Press
His collar is green Jan 09, 2009 Boston Globe: Van Jones has met with the Obama transition team about creating a clean energy corps.
Gerald Karnas: Today, PSC can lead Florida into its energy future Jan 09, 2009 Tallahassee.com: It has been almost two years since Gov. Charlie Crist's historic State of the State address in which he courageously — and correctly — stated, "I am persuaded that global climate change is one of the most important issues we face this century, and we must make every effort to do what is right."
Laboring for change Jan 08, 2009 Gristmill: Obama's Labor pick expected to champion green jobs
A Green Economy: Van Jones Jan 07, 2009 Air America: President-elect Barack Obama faces many challenges: Iraq, Afghanistan, the war in the Gaza strip, an economic depression, and climate change. Air America talked with The Green Collar Economy author and environmental activist Van Jones about Obama's environmental team, his green economic stimulus plan and “clean” coal.
Greening the Ghetto Jan 05, 2009 The New Yorker
Why Obama's green jobs plan might work Jan 04, 2009 LA Times: Some states -- including Michigan -- already see renewable energy as their future: It's the only sector that appears to be making room for more employees despite the recession.
FDL Book Salon Welcomes Van Jones: The Green Collar Economy Jan 03, 2009 Fire Dog Lake
Top Youth Activism Victories of 2008 Dec 30, 2008 The Nation
Opinion: Department of Green Labor Dec 22, 2008 Worldwatch Institute
We need to position state for 'green jobs' Dec 21, 2008 The Tennessean
Green Jobs Proponent Hilda Solis Picked for Labor Secretary Dec 18, 2008 The Wall Street Journal
A Green Agenda for Obama's First 100 Days Dec 18, 2008 Yale Environment 360: Environmentalists offer the president-elect their advice on the priorities he should set for his administration.
Students plan green makeover for old factory Dec 18, 2008 Princeton Weekly Bulletin
The “Green Gold Rush!” Here comes the green jobs! Dec 16, 2008 Denver Jobs Examiner: During mid-summer, our nation’s gas prices soared to $4 per-gallon which led to a wide-spread discussion about a “Green Gold Rush” through the creation of new green industries to combat our country’s reliance on foreign oil.
Philanthropy must continue in hard times Dec 14, 2008 San Francisco Chronicle: We're all tightening our belts in these depressed economic times - consuming less, buying less. And it makes sense that philanthropic foundations would want to do the same thing. Until you really think about it.
Up on the Roof, New Jobs in Solar Power Dec 13, 2008 New York Times: Move over, Joe the Plumber. Spencer the Solar Panel Installer is here: “Sometimes I’m 50 feet up on a steep roof and it’s so hot the tar is melting onto the bottoms of my sneakers, but I’m excited because I’m helping the environment.”
Q&A with Green Collar Economy Author Van Jones Dec 11, 2008 Huffington Post: Huffington Post interviews Jones: "I got out of law school and moved to the Bay Area for love. It lasted about three weeks, then I had to find something to do with my time. I was a 24-year-old African-American male with dreadlocks and a law degree."
A new runway model Dec 11, 2008 Burbank Leader: Hangar 25 at Bob Hope Airport features several environmentally friendly features that officials hope others will copy.
‘Green’ grants coming to Brockton Dec 09, 2008 Brockton Enterprise News: Clean energy companies, community-based nonprofit groups, educational institutions and labor organizations are among those eligible for the $1 million that will be allocated for new “green collar” job-training grants in MA.
We can — and must — fight poverty and pollution at the same time Dec 09, 2008 Climate Progress: Van Jones: "I was really trying to show how we could fight poverty and pollution at the same time. Now, the import of the book is bigger."
Van Jones: One of the Most Visionary Progressive Leaders Dec 09, 2008 AlterNet: The green jobs advocate has just received the prestigious Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship. Here's a look at the best of his 2008 work.
The Green Machine Dec 09, 2008 Washington Post: Promoting the Future, Van Jones Has No Shortage of Energy
Tapped for Commerce Secretary, Bill Richardson to Seek Green Jobs Dec 05, 2008 Daily Green: While some Hispanic voters have expressed disappointment that New Mexican Bill Richardson was just tapped by Barack Obama for Commerce Secretary -- and not a more prestigious position -- the move does bode well for the environment and the creation of much-needed green jobs.
Obama’s green stimulus package takes shape Dec 04, 2008 Plenty Mag: Last week, we brought you news of Obama’s goal of creating 2.5 million jobs through green investments. Today, a few hazy details from the president elect’s plan were revealed.
Obama Embraces ‘Green Path’ in Stimulus Plan to Aid Environment Dec 02, 2008 Bloomberg.com: President-elect Barack Obama is considering a stimulus package that will include a heavy dose of spending on environmentally friendly projects aimed at creating “green-collar jobs” and saving energy.
Green-collar jobs: latest studies Nov 30, 2008 Daily Journal - IL: Thanks to the recent presidential election where candidates U.S. Sen. John McCain and President-elect Barack Obama pegged some of their economic recovery plans on reducing independence on foreign oil and creating jobs in the renewable energy sector, the "green economy" movement has taken on new life.
Green Living, Green Giving for 2009 Nov 27, 2008 Alameda Sun: As Thanksgiving flows into the holidays, it may be wise to examine both how our families spend money and how our government spends money. The Alameda Sun reviews Annie Leonard's "The Story of Stuff" and Van Jones' The Green Collar Economy.
Putting Idle Hands to Work Nov 22, 2008 Newsweek: Author and activist Van Jones says the quest for cleaner energy can create big job gains right now.
GreenBuild Musings Nov 22, 2008 Interior Design: Bill McKibben and Van Jones spoke at Boston's GreenBuild, laying out the urgency of the climate situation and our opportunity.
Live from GreenBuild with Van Jones Nov 19, 2008 Boston Globe: At Boston's GreenBuild event, Van Jones took questionsthis afternoon in front of several hundred people, after having completed a 45-minute address on the green econony. He had a lot to say that's worth repeating.
Forecast Earth's 2008 Hot List Nov 19, 2008 Weather Channel: Forecast Earth has named Van Jones again to its list of top environmental movers and shakers.
Washington company a ‘green-building’ model Nov 19, 2008 Port Orchard Independent: Dr. Jill Wakefield served as president of South Seattle Community College for many years and created a sustainable construction program, that includes a certificate in energy auditing and more in other aspects of sustainable building. But it’s not just building that got Van Jones and the audience excited about the programs. It’s the possibility of retrofitting, of changing homes, businesses and schools to make them more energy efficient that inspired all of us.
The O Corps Nov 17, 2008 Slate: Obama is creating a new kind of public service. (With a little help from Roosevelt and Kennedy.)
East Bay author says we can go green and make green Nov 16, 2008 Contra Costa Times: VAN JONES HAD almost no marketing budget for his book "The Green Collar Economy" when it came out last month. He'd had a difficult time even getting a publisher. Most of the big houses thought that a book by an African-American environmental writer talking about how creating green jobs would benefit disadvantaged communities, while at the same time saving the environment, would be a hard sell.
Growing green jobs: Scope of ‘green-collar’ work increases faster than other sectors Nov 14, 2008 Kansas City Business Journal: “There’s an enormous amount of energy-efficiency work that needs to be done in our region,” Crawford said. “There’s a work force that just has to be developed for these projects.” The scope of so-called green-collar job opportunities stretches across industries, from labor positions to executive roles.
Towards A Green Collar Economy Nov 12, 2008 Awearness Blog: In the closing days of the 2008 campaign, President-elect Obama finally found a way to connect his idealism with an aggressive renewable energy plan to save America's dying rust belt and manufacturing base. The plan is to invest $150 billion -- which breaks down to $15 billion a year for 10 years -- in second-generation biofuels, solar and wind power in order to create 5 million new jobs to offset America's vanishing manufacturing base.
New economy, new rules to work by Nov 11, 2008 Real Change Organizing Project
An Obama Green Jobs Corps? Nov 10, 2008 New York Times: Many political observers have written about the Obama youth machine — and how, with the election over, the president-elect can and should continue to harness the passions that he has stirred up. One place to start might be in the area of renewable energy.
On the Job: Green approach could help solve jobs shortage Nov 10, 2008 Salt Lake Tribune: As the economy has worsened, more people than ever are looking for jobs - jobs that will help them support their families and pay for retirement. But many of those positions have moved overseas, or no longer even exist. Van Jones says he has the solution that will not only bring jobs back to American soil but put millions of people into good-paying careers - and save the planet as well.
Going up? Environmental leaders offer their elevator pitches for Obama Nov 10, 2008 Gristmill: Grist asked a number of leaders in environment and sustainability issues to imagine they found themselves in an elevator with the president-elect -- giving them one minute of his undivided attention.
The sky is the limit: Van Jones' advice to young people Nov 10, 2008 Jackson Sun: The future is looking bright, but the young people of Jackson, TN, must work hard to keep it that way, said Van Jones after a book signing in his hometown.
Let's hope book spurs McGuinty to get bold Nov 03, 2008 The Toronto Star: Premier Dalton McGuinty is reading Hot, Flat and Crowded, the new bestselling "green economy" book by New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, sources say.
Inspiration for a Green Economy Nov 03, 2008 Campus Progress: Van Jones’ new book proposes concrete solutions for today’s economic and environmental problems.
Q&A: Van Jones Nov 03, 2008 Mother Jones: INTERVIEW: The author of The Green Collar Economy and founder of Green For All on gray capitalism and why we're a long way from a green bubble.
A Splash of Green for the Rust Belt Nov 02, 2008 The New York Times: LIKE his uncle, his grandfather and many of their neighbors, Arie Versendaal spent decades working at the Maytag factory here, turning coils of steel into washing machines. When the plant closed last year, taking 1,800 jobs out of this town of 16,000 people, it seemed a familiar story of American industrial decline: another company town brought to its knees by the vagaries of global trade.
How Do We Get to the Clean, Green Energy Economy? Nov 01, 2008 The Daily Green: Jump Starting the Renewable Energy Revolution
US activist urges poor to think green Oct 31, 2008 REUTERS: Civil rights activist Van Jones for years has fought to keep poor kids in Oakland, California, off the streets and out of jail. Now, he's got a solution he ripped off straight from the West Coast elite -- urging the nation's toughest neighborhoods to think green.
Why Small Manufacturers Are Going Green Oct 31, 2008 BusinessWeek.com: Tooling up to supply solar, wind power, and other clean industries could revive strong, long-term growth, even in an economic slowdown
Working Together for a Green New Deal Oct 29, 2008 The Nation: My background is in the struggles for racial justice and criminal justice reform. As such, I've always felt an affinity for Cinque, the hero of the slave-revolt movie Amistad. In that film, based on a true story, the righteous, enslaved Africans fight back and take over the slave ship.
Blacks targeted in climate campaign Oct 28, 2008 Houston Chronicle: Some say global warming affects group the most, yet race is the least involved in fight.
I Support "Green Jobs, Not Jails" & Why You Should Read The Green Collar Economy, Too Oct 24, 2008 Huffington Post: If you feel like I do, you're probably in the market for some uplifting news. Save the prospect of Obama winning the presidential election, there's very little of it these days. Lo and behold, out of the barrage of grim, gray news I found a hopeful ray of light - green light, that is - in the form of a book.
Kudos to Mr. Jones! Oct 24, 2008 NRDC Switchboard: I met Van Jones years ago at Vermont Law School while he was on the lecture circuit. I had the opportunity to briefly get to know him and was encouraged by his warmth and openness; he simply has a way of pulling you in to his cause-the environment. His conviction was recently reinforced in print upon the release of his New York Times Best-Seller, "The Green Collar Economy" this month.
Making a green revolution Oct 23, 2008 The Free Press: "Just because we can't sell shares in nature doesn't mean it has no value." Thomas Friedman "Big Oil and King Coal may have armies of lobbyists, lawyers, foreign diplomats and even military advisors, but Americans know that we can do better for ourselves, our country, and our fellow humans. As the writer Arundhati Roy says, 'Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.'" Michael Brune
‘Green Collar Economy’ by Van Jones Flying Off the Shelves Oct 23, 2008 Earth First: When Van Jones wrote ‘The Green Collar Economy’, the Wall Street collapse hadn’t yet happened and Americans weren’t nearly as cynical about the future of America’s economy as they are today. The release of the book just happened to coincide with the meltdown, coming at a time when people are desperate for hope. That propitious timing combined with a brilliant viral marketing strategy resulted in copies of ‘The Green Collar Economy’ flying off the shelves: the book debuted at #12 on the New York Times bestseller list this week.
Van Jones: How We Can Lead Our Country Out of Crisis Oct 23, 2008 AlterNet: Van Jones talks about a new vision for America in which progressives go from protest to governance.
Wal-Mart in China: Going Green Despite the Downturn Oct 22, 2008 The Wall Street Journal: Wal-Mart’s push to make its stores and suppliers in China more environmentally-friendly cuts to the heart of one of the big debates these days: Is a “green economy” the antidote to or a potential victim of the economic crisis?
The nexus of clean energy and green jobs Oct 22, 2008 New Mexico Independent: John McCain and Barack Obama agree that global warming is man-made, and both want to find a way to reverse its course. McCain emphasizes nuclear energy — which does not emit any global warming carbon dioxide — as the solution, advocating a substantial number of new nuclear plants by 2030.
Netroots Victory: “The Green Collar Economy” is a NYT Bestseller Oct 21, 2008 Climate Progress: Not too surprisingly (and thankfully), Thomas Friedman’s book Hot, Flat and Crowded holds spot #2 on the NYT’s list of non-fiction bestsellers. A bit more shocking is that Van Jones’ book “The Green Collar Economy” landed the #12 spot.
Community Colleges Are Key to 'Green' Jobs, Speaker Says Oct 21, 2008 The Chronicle of Higher Education: Straddling the divide between government and industry, community colleges play a pivotal role in pushing our fossil-fuel-dependent economy toward a reliance on renewable energy, the environmental activist Van Jones said in an opening address to the National Council for Workforce Education conference here on Sunday.
Climate Justice Makes NYT Bestseller List Oct 20, 2008 Campus Progress Report
How Environmental Activist Van Jones' Book "The Green Collar Economy" Reached The NYT Best Sellers List Oct 20, 2008 Huffington Post: Social and environmental activist Van Jones felt he had important message about the economy, energy prices and global warming to impart in his book "The Green Collar Economy," which was published this month. What he didn't have, as a first time author with an almost non-existent marketing budget, was the kind of money and name-recognition that typically helps place a book on the best sellers list and in the national conversation. So he improvised.
Saving the Working Class with Green-Collar Jobs Oct 20, 2008 Time: Van Jones does not look like your typical environmentalist. He doesn't wear Birkenstocks. He's African-American in a movement that tends to be overwhelmingly white. His background is in civil-rights activism — specifically prison reform — a cause he champions in Oakland, Calif. But Jones, the head of the non-profit Green For All and the author of the new book The Green-Collar Economy, could represent the future of environmentalism in America and a way for the movement to survive and even thrive through the coming recession.
Sign of the Times Oct 20, 2008 Gristmill: Van Jones talks to Grist about his NYT bestseller on the green-collar economy
Van Jones: Bioneers by the Bay and the green economy Oct 20, 2008 The Providence Journal: There are two U.S. economies: One is collapsing, even as another struggles to rise. The economy that is crashing is the one based on consumption, debt and environmental destruction. The emerging one is based on production, smart savings and environmental restoration.
Van Jones Q&A About His New Book "The Green Collar Economy" Oct 20, 2008 Huffington Post: Environmental activist Van Jones' new book "The Green Collar Economy" debuted at number 12 on the New York Times best sellers list this week. The book describes how transforming America into a more green society would not only tackle the problem of global warming, but would also reduce energy prices and produce an abundance of jobs that would help turn the economy around.
Author Van Jones powers up solutions Oct 19, 2008 The Jackson Sun: If you haven't bought a book in a while, it's time to shop. The book I hope you'll consider is "The Green Collar Economy" by Van Jones. It's just out and making its way onto the New York Times bestsellers list. At Books-A-Million Thursday in Jackson, they were sold out and waiting for more on Friday.
On Global Warming, McCain and Obama Agree: Urgent Action Is Needed Oct 18, 2008 New York Times: Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama part company on many issues, but they agree that the Bush administration’s policies on global warming were far too weak.
Green Collar Job Training Program Focuses on At-risk Youth Oct 10, 2008 Renewable Energy World: The city of Santa Fe has found that two of its problems, a high percentage of high school drop outs and a lack of green collar workers, have the same solution -- a green collar job training program that recruits from a pool of at risk youths.
Will either candidate admit we need a 2nd bailout? Oct 08, 2008 Anderson Cooper 360: With our economic crises mounting, Americans are desperate for some bold, comprehensive and holistic solutions. Will either candidate propose them? Here are three questions that I hope both candidates are asked.
Save the Economy, Save the Planet Oct 08, 2008 Slate: A new politics of climate change for recessionary times. Even before the financial markets fell into cardiac arrest and Dr. Paulson prescribed his $700-billion adrenaline shot, the economic crisis had become the only issue that really mattered in the presidential election. The evidence of impending climate catastrophe keeps piling up, and both candidates support a declining cap on greenhouse-gas emissions.
Obama Must Be Listening To Van Jones, McCain Not So Much Oct 08, 2008 Red Green and Blue: Although the cringing from last night’s uninspiring debate is over for the time being, today provides an excellent opportunity to look back at what was the first head-on collision between the two major party presidential candidates and the dual threat posed by global warming and our current economic crisis.
Van Jones: Green Collar Minister for a Clean and Just Future Oct 08, 2008 Switchboard from NRDC: Van Jones is the nation's leading visionary calling for a social, economic and energy revolution driven by a massive effort to repower America's outdated and broken energy systems. A long-time advocate for helping those on society's lowest rungs to climb out of poverty, Van Jones' new book, The Green Collar Economy, charts the course to reversing economic and environmental injustice through a national commitment to repower our most impoverished communities with clean energy.
Van Jones’ Green Collar Manifesto Oct 08, 2008 Red Green and Blue: Few people have been able to inspire the kind of critical thinking and political action considered a necessary component of “success” in the modern environmental movement. But if you were to make a list of those few, Van Jones would definitely be on it.
Not a Moment Too Soon: Van Jones' New Book Oct 08, 2008 The Huffington Post: Last week the Labor Department reported that 159,000 jobs were cut in September -- twice as many as the previous two months. Meanwhile, energy prices remain high and Congress just handed out taxpayer subsidies for a host of polluting and costly fuels.
Book Review: The Green Collar Economy by Van Jones Oct 07, 2008 Treehugger: Van Jones' latest book, The Green Collar Economy, comes out today and discusses the social, economic and political implications of the “green-collar job” (a term that’s being bandied around a lot nowadays). Jones defines a green-collar job as a “family-supporting, career-track job that directly contributes to preserving or enhancing environmental quality,” but is also part of what he calls the “one solution [to] fix our two biggest problems” – namely, poverty and our environmental crisis.
The green collar economy, Blackfolk & America's future Oct 07, 2008 Afro-Netizen: Afro-Netizen has promoted books before. However, the timing of the publication of "The Green Collar Economy" by GreenForAll founder, Van Jones, the presidential campaign and what's going on between Wall Street, Main Street and MLK Boulevard highlights the importance of Jones' book.
Van Jones’ New Book Release: Green Collar Economy Oct 06, 2008 Jack and Jill Politics: You might have noticed that there’s an ad on the top far right side of the JJP site promoting JJP guest blogger Van Jones‘ new book Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems.
'Green jobs' a draw at Miami Dade College event Oct 03, 2008 Miami Herald: Activists from Democracia USA gathered at MDC North Campus as part of a larger campaign to petition the federal government for new 'green jobs.'
Now For A Green Bailout: Twice The Bang, Half The Bucks Oct 03, 2008 Huffington Post: Maybe the Wall Street bailout package is a good idea. But the only thing I know for sure is this: even if we avert a total economic meltdown, we will still be in a recession. Millions of Americans still will be without jobs -- or in real fear of losing their job. Worse, we will still be dependent on dirty fuels like oil and coal, which are draining our monetary resources and cooking the planet.
Going green Sep 30, 2008 The Gazette: Community learns how to make environmentally friendly home upgrades
How to find a green job Sep 30, 2008 Grist.org
Green the Bailout Sep 27, 2008 New York Times: The point is, we don’t just need a bailout. We need a buildup. We need to get back to making stuff, based on real engineering not just financial engineering.
In the new century: Energy Security IS National Security Sep 27, 2008 Anderson Cooper 360: Tonight the contenders for the U.S. presidency are scheduled to debate U.S. foreign policy. Maybe they will show up; maybe they won’t. But if they do come, on their way to the debate site, they literally will drive past the biggest threat to our national security. To see the biggest gun aimed at the heads of the American people, Senators Obama and McCain need look no farther than the local gas station.
Jumpstart the Economy: We Need Green Jobs Now Sep 25, 2008 Huffington Post: Van Jones on The Huffington Post - George W. Bush's house of credit cards is falling down - on the heads of the American people. We need dramatic action - but not just to bail to financial titans who destroyed the economy.
Heroes of the Environment 2008 Sep 25, 2008 TIME Magazine: TIME Magazine features Van Jones in a special report on the top eco-pioneers fighting for a cleaner, greener future.
Could Newark flower as eco-city? Sep 14, 2008 The Star-Ledger: For Newark Mayor Cory Booker, promoting sustainable economic development in the city would not only reduce harm to the environment but would also address some of the city's major problems.
In Support of a New (Green) Deal Sep 10, 2008 New York Times: Investing in clean energy could create four times as many jobs as investing in the oil industry, according to a report issued on Tuesday by the Sierra Club, United Steelworkers, the Blue Green Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council and Audubon New York. And clean energy investment would result in about three times the number of good-paying jobs, those that pay at least $16 an hour, according to the report, which was written by the Center for American Progress and the Political Economy Research Institute.
Environmentalists, unions call for green-jobs plan Sep 09, 2008 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: A new report by an unusual coalition of environmental and labor groups seeks to plant a seed for a national, $100 billion public and private investment in an environmentally friendly, low-carbon economy that would grow 2 million new jobs over two years.
The Plenty 20 awards for 2008 Sep 02, 2008 Plenty Magazine: Plenty Magazine recognizes 20 businesses, 20 people, and 10 ideas that will change our world, including Green For All's Van Jones.
A Future Star Plugs Energy Shift Aug 25, 2008 New West Blog: Here’s a hot tip for the Democratic presidential ticket in 2016: Van Jones. Jones is not even a politician, at the moment: he’s the founder and president of Green For All, an Oakland-based organization "dedicated to building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty." He also founded the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland, three years after he graduated from Yale Law – which, as you might recall, is also the alma mater of two recent Democratic presidential candidates.
What will the ‘Green Economy’ look like? Aug 24, 2008 Colorado Independent: Van Jones, president of Green For All in Oakland, Calif., wants nothing less from a new green economy than the alleviation of poverty — and a few other things. Voicing a more urgent imperative in the threat of global climate change, Jones, who will be featured as a panelist at The Media Consortium's Live From Main Street program in Denver on Sunday, sees a world of possibilities in an economy gone green.
Green can fatten Nevadans’ wallets too Aug 20, 2008 Las Vegas Sun: The green in "green energy economy" is money as much as environmentalism. That was the message Tuesday from academics, business leaders, governors and other politicians to more than 1,000 attendees at the National Clean Energy Summit at UNLV.
We Can Prevent Energy Disaster Aug 17, 2008 Freep.com: Too often in our history, national transformations are born only of great calamities. The New Deal arose from the Great Depression, our manufacturing sector matured during World War II and the end of slavery required a Civil War. Fortunately, the situation today is reversed: We can transform our country and prevent a calamity by moving now toward a clean energy economy.
Who's Who in Green — Van Jones Aug 15, 2008 Earth First: 'Vangelism' – it's what Grist.org dubbed environmental and civil rights advocate Van Jones' brand of activism. Not many environmental activists can say they've got a movement named after them, but Van Jones isn't just any environmental activist.
C.O.R.E. Sells Out to Exxon Aug 14, 2008 Jack & Jill Politics: The Congress of Racial Equality was once one of the strongest, most dynamic civil rights organizations around. C.O.R.E. was first founded by a multiracial group of young people committed to the principles of Mahatma Gandhi. How far from Gandhi's message have they traveled. It's also a stark contrast between the values of some from the boomer generation of black leaders and younger ones like Green for All's amazing Van Jones who has inspired the nation to consider green collar jobs that can pair the work that most needs to be done with those who most need the work.
Jones to Netroots: in four years, you may miss George W. Bush Jul 20, 2008 The Austin American-Statesman: In the closing keynote address at Netroots Nation, civil rights and environmental activist Van Jones called for a New Deal-esque movement to create green jobs to forestall an economic crisis and warned Netroots audience members that should not take for granted that changes will come with Barack Obama’s potential election to the presidency.
Van Jones rallies the netroots Jul 20, 2008 Grist: Van Jones delivered the final keynote address at Networks Nation today, stopping in Austin to talk about green jobs and the political prospects for addressing both the energy and climate woes of the country. The message from the netroots, he said, should be clear: "We cannot drill and burn our way out of this problem. If we do, we will burn this planet."
Green Leadership Jul 16, 2008 The Huffington Post: One of our most visionary partners in protecting the environment is Van Jones. Van is the founder and president of Green For All. He is combining solutions to America's two biggest challenges -- social inequality and environmental destruction -- by creating and promoting green collar jobs.
Donning a Green Collar Jul 04, 2008 The Boston Globe: Last year Congress passed the Green Jobs Act, a $25 million pilot program that will train participants in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Van Jones, creator of Green for All, an Oakland, Calif., organization started last year to focus on using the green economy to fight poverty, helped draft the act. Jones has created national momentum around this issue through appearances, including a charismatic speech last month at the Massachusetts Democratic Convention in Lowell. Jones, a mentor to MaGJC cofounder Kalia Lydgate, has given the organization guidance and support in its legislative efforts.
American Revolution, 21st century style Jul 03, 2008 Politics In Color: Last Saturday I watched Van Jones stoke that rebellious spirit with a motivated audience - 3,000 socially active delegates at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly. We can't drill and burn our way to energy independence, said the 40ish leader who has led a green movement in Oakland, Calif. and is co-founder of the ColorOfChange.org e-advocacy movement.
An Interview With Van Jones Jun 23, 2008 Mongabay: Van Jones, a social and environmental activist, believes a greener economy not only could save the planet, but also must provide pathways out of poverty for America's disadvantaged communities. A civil rights lawyer from Yale University, Jones started promoting the idea of "green-collar jobs" in 2005 through the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland, California. In September 2007, he launched the "Green for All" campaign, [which is now a national organization.] Jones recently took time to share his perspectives with Mongabay.com.
Building a local movement toward a green economy Jun 08, 2008 Workday Minnesota: The United States is moving from "a pollution-based economy" that has left many people behind to an "inclusive, green economy," [Van Jones] said. While technology is driving many of the changes, people need to act to make sure the new economy provides good-paying jobs accessible to all. Already, local communities are moving ahead to create green job opportunities, in cities ranging from Chicago to Oakland to Richmond, Va., Jones said. Some of the best organizing is happening in low-income communities, where many workers – in particular young people of color – can benefit.
We Can Build An Inclusive Green Economy Jun 06, 2008 The Wonk Room: This morning, Senate debate on the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act came to an end. It was a missed opportunity to robustly debate a critical issue facing the country. The bill had the potential, particularly if strengthened during the amendment process, to affect profound and positive change for both the American people and the planet.
Vangelism Jun 05, 2008 Grist: What does the green jobs and justice community think about the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act? To get one perspective, Grist caught up with Van Jones, the founder of Green For All, a group that promotes green-jobs policies and environmental justice. Jones, a civil-rights lawyer and the founder and former executive director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, has become a leading voice for building a green economy.
Report states millions of U.S. workers to be in demand for green jobs Jun 04, 2008 The Munster Times: Shifting from the "dirty fossil-fuel-based" economy to one of clean energy would be a boost for millions of American workers, according to a report released Tuesday by a coalition of conservation and labor groups. The report, "Job Opportunities for the Green Economy," studied employment conditions in 12 states including Indiana, looking at a range of occupations and income levels that would benefit from America's transition toward a clean energy economy.
With Investment, Millions of Blue and White Collars Can Be Turned Green Jun 04, 2008 GreenBiz.com: OAKLAND, Calif. -- Building a green economy has the potential to affect millions of workers in occupations throughout the country, and a new report highlights some of those jobs than can be transformed, with the right investment, into green jobs.
Van Jones on CNN's "Issue #1" Jun 02, 2008 CNN Issue #1: On Monday, June 2nd, Van Jones spoke about the Warner-Lieberman bill and his vision for a green economy that can transform this country.
Thousands of contracts; millions of jobs Jun 02, 2008 Insight News: Van Jones is the founder and president of Green for All, a national organization working to get "green collar" jobs and opportunities to disadvantaged communities. In an interview last week with Insight News, Jones said, "We have to move into a greener economy. Oil is past tense. Coal is past tense. All of that stuff is too negative to keep using. We have to keep moving into something more clean and green. Billions of dollars are already flowing in that direction. We want to make sure that there is an equal opportunity and an equal access agenda. We don't want to build a green economy that is a white only economy or an eco-elite only economy," he said.
Green industries offer job growth opportunity May 27, 2008 MSNBC.com: When a Republican candidate for president starts talking about limiting greenhouse gases during a speech at a wind turbine plant you know there’s an environmental wave going on. All the presidential candidates, including John McCain who spoke about climate change at a wind energy facility in Oregon this month, have green initiatives on their agendas, and states across the country are embarking on initiatives to cut pollution and a reliance on fossil fuels. Not to mention homeowners who don’t want to be at the mercy of electric and oil companies. Solar, wind and biofuels are all growing alternatives, and these fairly young industries will need people — people to produce, install and sell their products. That means a wave of employment opportunities — so-called green-collar jobs — could sweep the nation.
What Is a Green-Collar Job, Exactly? May 26, 2008 Time: What do presidential candidates John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have in common — aside from the obvious? They all love green-collar jobs. Obama promises to spend $150 billion over 10 years to create 5 million new green collar jobs. Clinton references the term repeatedly on the trail, and says her energy plan will create millions of new green-collar jobs as well. McCain is less willing to cite numbers, but he too assures campaign audiences that action to decarbonize America's economy will produce "thousands, millions of new jobs in America."
Pink slip leads to green-collar job May 25, 2008 Detroit Free Press: After getting pink-slipped a second time by an auto supplier thanks to the woeful economy, David Shaw shifted gears. "I'd had it with auto manufacturing," said Shaw, 48, a married father of two young children who lives in Harrison Township. "I wasn't sure what I would do next but knew I wanted to be in control of my own destiny for a change." Shaw spent months weighing options and kept coming back to one thing: alternative energy. With oil prices marching higher and society focused on being green, he figured that would be more recession-proof.
Green jobs coming to Albuquerque May 20, 2008 The New Mexico Independent: On Wednesday of last week Mayor Martin Chávez signed a “Green Jobs Pledge” at the ICLEI summit, held in Albuquerque, committing the city to invest in community-based jobs training to ensure a skilled local workforce for emerging green industries. The green jobs pledge signed by the mayor was developed in part by the folks at Green For All, who also provided help with the creation of the city council initiative. Such across the board agreement bodes well for the future of Albuquerque workers, as well as the companies who depend on them.
Global Green Jobs May 16, 2008 Foreign Policy in Focus: “Green-collar jobs” are a hot topic these days. This is good news, certainly, for those who seek to alter our present course toward climate catastrophe. Greater awareness of the promise of a green economy allows us to challenge the too-familiar framing of “jobs vs. the environment” that has defeated so many attempts at environmental protection.
Solar conference sheds light on economy May 15, 2008 Las Vegas Review-Journal: The transformation to a green economy is under way and promises to be a fundamental shift with profound consequences. It will eclipse the industrial revolution in scale and importance. It is the means by which we can revitalize society and heal our world. The green economy acknowledges the true cost of doing business. It values the role of nature and does not "externalize" the destruction of our environment. Factoring in the true cost of doing business, whether it is creating energy, building homes, driving cars or flying across the country, causes us to do things differently. It is really about having an honest marketplace. A green economy is based on economic truth.
Green Jobs Find International Support May 14, 2008 Worldwatch Institute: Sitting in a warm Capitol Hill office building last week, a panel of green-collar job activists attempted to rally support among a room of sleepy Congressional staffers. At the end of the briefing, Van Jones, a civil-rights lawyer-turned-green jobs champion, delivered the message that jolted many audience members out of their afternoon haze. "We are about to enter stagflation," Jones said. "That means people get voted out of office."
San Francisco Pushing Fossil Fuels Over Green Energy May 13, 2008 BeyondChron: Dozens of Bayview residents waited for hours for the chance of speaking for two minutes in opposition of the power plants. The sad fact is that if these power plants were proposed for South of Market near some of the new luxury condo skyscrapers, the peaker plant proposal would have been dead on arrival. Van Jones, founder of the Ella Baker Center and an opponent of the power plants, has pointed out that putting the resources into clean energy would create green-collar jobs for the same community that is now being targeted for decades of continued air pollution.
Trying to Make Green the New Black May 09, 2008 Advertising Age: Trickle-down consciousness doesn't work any better than Reaganomics did for our communities. Not only are communities of color the worst hit by environmental danger zones, we also are some of the worst perpetrators with little awareness of recycling, adoption of hybrid vehicles or other ways we can be part of the solution. But don't fear, all is not lost.
Thoughts on the Ceres conference May 08, 2008 Earthkeeper: Last week, I attended the Ceres conference in Boston, Massachusetts (”The annual Ceres conference is a unique gathering of corporate, environmental, investor, governance, and labor leaders who share a collective vision of sustainability and capital markets functioning side by side”). I have a very high bar for the conferences I attend, and this makes the top three. A closing panel on the economic impact of climate change that included Van Jones, the Founder and President of Green for All a non-profit dedicated to building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty. Van was so charismatic, poised and on-point that he elicited applause after almost everyone of his comments.
A silver lining to going green May 06, 2008 The Philadelphia Inquirer: Philadelphia hopes to model its Green Job Corps after a groundbreaking initiative in Oakland, Calif., the brainchild of environmental activist Van Jones, who has been brought here several times to share his ideas. The 39-year-old Yale-educated lawyer is considered the guru of a more inclusive green movement.
Green-Collar Jobs Offer Hope to Our At-Risk Youth and Ailing Economy May 05, 2008 Flex Your Power: Although much of the U.S. economy is currently suffering, the green sector is enjoying growth while offering opportunities to lift people out of poverty. The Oakland Green Jobs Corps and Green for All campaigns, for example, are recruiting at-risk youth, training them for and helping to place them in green apprenticeships and employment. Providing peace of mind to workers and lawmakers alike, the jobs entail tasks that cannot be outsourced offshore — installing solar panels and wind turbines, and weatherizing homes and office buildings.
End Crab Fishery, Plant Trees May 04, 2008 The Baltimore Sun: Too many creeks on farms are still as they were from Colonial times - stripped of their arboreal canopies and degraded by runoff and cow manure. Create leafy buffers along streams, and you improve water quality there and, eventually, downstream in the bay. This kind of thing could be going on across the nation, if funds were available for the establishment of a green work force. That's what's being advocated by Green For All, a campaign to get local, state and federal governments to fund job training and new opportunities in an emerging "green economy," particularly for the nation's poor. They want to lift people out of poverty and fight pollution at the same time.
Pop up green-collar jobs, activist urges May 01, 2008 The Daily Free Press: The United States needs to create green-collar jobs and mobilize a new generation of social activists to ease the country's environmental and social concerns, human rights activist and environmentalist Van Jones said yesterday at Tufts University.
A Just Cause May 01, 2008 Black Enterprise: In 2007, Green-Collar Jobs campaign pushed the City Council of Oakland to fund a Green Jobs Corps to educate and train approximately 40 Oakland-area youth in green trades in its first graduating class. The Ella Baker Center and Green For All worked to help pass HR 2847, the Green Jobs Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives, which authorized up to $125 million to fund a federal green job training program. The program will help address job shortages in industries such as energy-efficient buildings and construction, renewable electric power, energy efficient vehicles, and biofuels development. The Green Jobs Act will also help identify and track the new jobs and skills needed to grow the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.
The Green Gap May 01, 2008 The American Prospect: The economic potential associated with greening the country is nothing to scoff at. Studies have shown that if the United States were to make a meaningful investment in clean energy and efficiency, 40 million new jobs could be created by 2030, making one in five jobs in the country some shade of green. But most people working in green technology today fit the environmentalist stereotype -- white college graduates who drive Priuses and buy organic -- and without a conscious effort, this new green economic sector stands a chance of passing by low-income people of color, much like the dot com boom did.
Bringing Green Jobs to the Urban Poor May 01, 2008 Fast Company: More than any other single figure, he has ushered the phrase "green-collar jobs" into the political lexicon -- and economic reality. Last year, Jones led a coalition of business, labor, and environmental groups that persuaded the Oakland City Council to provide $250,000 in seed money for the country's first green-collar-jobs corps, which will train low-income youth in the renewable-energy, organic-food, and green-construction industries.
On Earth Day, environmental advocate Van Jones promotes green economy and green-collar jobs Apr 28, 2008 Tufts Daily: "I don't think you can understand what's happening in America if you don't recognize that we're living in a country that makes up only four percent of the [world's] population but 25 percent of greenhouse gases and 25 percent of [the world's] prisoners," [Van Jones] said. "Some people think we have a disposable planet and disposable people."
Greening of the masses Apr 22, 2008 Chicago Tribune: Though the term "green collar" might be applied to anyone employed in a job that benefits the environment, it has come to more specifically designate the masses of blue-collar workers who will be weatherizing homes, building hybrid cars and manufacturing and erecting wind turbines. Advocates expect the green-collar workforce to be an important part of the nation's economy as more homeowners and businesses move toward conservation and renewable energy. The green gigs could replace manufacturing jobs lost to overseas labor, advocates say, and they are likely to resist outsourcing, as someone in India can't very well install a solar panel on a building in Chicago.
Why S.F. should shelve 'peaker plants' idea Apr 22, 2008 sfgate.com: We are facing a major decision - whether to spend a quarter of a billion dollars on new fossil-fuel burning power plants in our city, or to initiate a program that provides incentives to install solar on rooftops citywide. The juxtaposition of approving polluting power plants while stalling a modest solar program puts at risk San Francisco's reputation as an innovator and leader in climate change.
Green-Collar Work Force Apr 20, 2008 The New York Times: While Beltway wonks have been planning political strategies, a number of nonprofits and big-city mayors (Cory Booker in Newark, Adrian Fenty in Washington) have been trying to initiate green-collar jobs programs. The movement’s unofficial spokesman is probably Van Jones, whose work with disadvantaged youth in Oakland led him to help found Green for All, which seeks $1 billion to create 250,000 new green jobs by 2012.
Turning blue collars green Apr 20, 2008 Contra Costa Times: Environmentalists say that if global warming is to be slowed, it will take wholesale change in how electricity is generated, how people travel and how they heat and cool their houses. That means installing hundreds of millions of solar panels, building thousands of wind farms and geo-thermal plants, engineering new ways to derive energy from renewable sources and weatherizing millions of homes. Green companies are rapidly hiring new workers, and indications are they will continue.
Sustaining The Dream Apr 14, 2008 emorywheel.com: The first weekend in April, I had a chance to make history. I don’t believe that most Emory students save the eleven that came along could say that. For the Emory dozen, the weekend began early, midnight on Thursday to be exact, at the Morehouse College campus with 91 other college students from five other Atlanta universities. There, we boarded two buses to Memphis — we were going to a conference to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and to introduce a new message.
It's Not Easy Being Green-Collar Apr 14, 2008 Forbes: It's been hard to miss the U.S. presidential candidates talking about it on the campaign trail, and you'll hear a lot more between now and November. With Earth Day coming up, the rhetoric from Sens. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain--and, before he dropped out, John Edwards--on the need for a program of economic revival that embraces environmental sustainability has been striking to say the least.
From the grass-roots up: Lawyer sees a green future Apr 11, 2008 The Oakland Tribune: OAKLAND - For more than a decade, Oakland has been home to a little-known crusader who has made it his mission to save the planet and the inner city. In January, Van Jones, co-founder of the local Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, flew halfway around the world to tell the prestigious World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, about a new partnership model that he pioneered, bringing government, business and unions together to create jobs and clean up the environment.
Green Jobs Will Require New Skills Among Workers Apr 11, 2008 The State Journal: Green is the new blue when it comes to job skills and job security. The blue-collar jobs that have long supported a strong American middle class -- jobs for electricians, plumbers and transportation and manufacturing workers of all kinds -- are getting a green update. It's a nationwide movement to refresh the traditional trades with training in 21st century knowledge and skills.
The faces of green Apr 10, 2008 Grist: The hopeful skeptic in me was the part most drawn to The Dream Reborn conference hosted by Green For All last weekend in Memphis. So once I arrived, I stuck to what I deemed the practical path, sessions with titles like "Show Me the Money" and "Green-Collar Job Training Programs: Examples and Models" that would delineate exactly how to make this green economy happen.
op-ed: The dream reborn: building a green economy for all Apr 10, 2008 The Student Weekly of Middlebury College: "We are the dream generation, we are the dream reborn." This chant started as a whisper, stirring more than a thousand people to unite in song and hope. We rose in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of a just and equal society, and in a promise to pursue his dream. We gathered in the tradition of a southern Baptist church to honor Dr. King and to create a green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty and fight global warming.
Let's not wait for the blooming of another Rose Apr 10, 2008 The Commerical Appeal: The anniversary last week of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis brought a sold-out convention of over a thousand students, community and environmental activists, planners and scientists who are looking at ways to create new jobs in a green economy that is coping with global warming and environmental challenges. What our basketball team can't do for this city, the Memphis Regional Chamber can do. For starters, it can build community pride and economic growth by leading this city's power structure into working alliances with the environmental jobs convention organizers, Green For All, and other such vanguard efforts.
A Green "Dream" Apr 10, 2008 Memphis Flyer: Even in Memphis, the green movement looks, well, white. Last year, former Portland, Oregon, parks and recreation director Charles Jordan gave a talk at Memphis College of Art that touched on making the environmental movement more inclusive. Of the 400 people in the room, Jordan was maybe one of five African Americans. But Green for All's "The Dream Reborn" conference, held last weekend at the Cook Convention Center, saw 1,000 attendees of every race, creed, gender, and age.
Past and Present Apr 10, 2008 Memphis Flyer Online: Forty and counting: the dubious merits of being America's civil rights city. At a University of Memphis forum last week commemorating the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s death, a young man in the audience asked the panelists if Memphis was forever stuck in 1968.
Black and Green Apr 09, 2008 Good Magazine: Now expanding its reach to the national level, the Ella Baker Center recently launched Green for All, a new organization aimed at securing $1 billion to lift 250,000 people out of poverty with employment in sustainable industries. It scored a major victory last December when Congress, as part of the omnibus energy bill, passed the Green Jobs Act of 2007, authorizing $125 million for a federal program, modeled on Oakland’s, that will train 30,000 workers in new trades like installing solar panels. And that may just be the beginning: Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have touted “green collar” initiatives as being key to the future economy.
The Van Fan Club Apr 09, 2008 Grist: What Grist readers might have predicted over a year ago, when David interviewed Van Jones, is quickly becoming reality. In October, Thomas Friedman, in a gushing editorial, called Jones a "rare bird" who "exudes enough energy to light a few buildings on his own." Now he's appeared on the Colbert Report where, despite the always-awkward position of Stephen's interviewees, he managed to land "green jobs" in the mental dictionary of millions of young viewers.
The Growth in 'Green-Collar' Jobs Apr 08, 2008 Newsweek.com: While much of the hype around the emerging "clean tech" economy has centered on celebrity venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, most of the jobs, says [Van] Jones, [founder and president of Green For All], will be created in less glamorous sectors: weatherizing homes and offices, installing solar panels and retrofitting factories with energy-efficient technologies. "This is not an eco-elite, eco-chic movement for people who can afford to buy hybrid cars and shop at Whole Foods," says Jones. "The green economy to come is going to be a broad-shouldered, mass movement of American labor."
Global-warming conference honors civil rights leader, addresses issues facing African-Americans, disadvantaged communities Apr 06, 2008 Commercialappeal.com: Mix the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with efforts to fight global warming and inner-city poverty and the Dream Reborn Conference emerges. "This is the first 'green' conference honoring Dr. King and really addressing the issues of African-Americans and other disadvantaged communities," said Van Jones, 39, the Mid-Southerner who started Green For All and helped bring the Oakland, Calif.-based nonprofit group's three-day conference to Memphis.
Global-warming conference honors civil rights leader Apr 06, 2008 The Commerical Appeal: Mix the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with efforts to fight global warming and inner-city poverty and the Dream Reborn Conference emerges. "This is the first 'green' conference honoring Dr. King and really addressing the issues of African-Americans and other disadvantaged communities," said Van Jones, 39, the Mid-Southerner who started Green For All and helped bring the Oakland, Calif.-based nonprofit group's three-day conference to Memphis.
Getting together for green jobs Apr 05, 2008 Grist: Yesterday in Memphis, a crowd stood outside the Lorraine Motel to quietly honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the place where he died 40 years ago. All day long, it rained.
King's dream tied to environmental stewardship Apr 05, 2008 Jacksonsun.com: MEMPHIS — Surrounded by memories of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a group met to create ideas to blend his economic equality vision with the environment. The Dream Reborn Conference opened Friday at the Memphis Cook Convention Center to develop plans to attack poverty through green endeavors.
Attacking poverty via green endeavors Apr 05, 2008 Commercialappeal.com: The crowd was heavily young and African-American and the tone evangelical as The Dream Reborn Conference -- an effort to blend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision with the environment and economy -- opened Friday at Memphis Cook Convention Center.
A dream reborn Apr 04, 2008 Grist: The following are my introductory remarks to the Dream Reborn conference, beginning today and running through the weekend in Memphis, Tenn. Forty years ago today, on April 4, 1968, a sniper assassinated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King had come to Memphis, Tennessee, to aid striking sanitation workers. The preeminent civil rights leader of his time, he was only 39 years old.
Van Jones on "The Colbert Report" Apr 01, 2008 Comedy Central - Colbert Report: Van Jones tells Stephen Colbert about green collar jobs that are good for the Earth as well as the economy.
Green jobs: Van Jones on the Colbert Report Apr 01, 2008 Businessweek.com: I caught up with Van Jones, founder and president of Green For All this afternoon. Jones’ status vaulted from green visionary to eco-celebrity thanks in part to a much-emailed a column by Thomas Friedman in the NYT last October enumerating how Jones is bridging green issues, jobs, class and race in unprecedented ways.
Millions of Jobs of a Different Collar Mar 26, 2008 The New York Times: Everyone knows what blue-collar and white-collar jobs are, but now a job of another hue — green — has entered the lexicon.
A Green Corps Mar 24, 2008 The Nation: We usually talk about New Deal programs in terms of their effect on the mood of Americans--they restored hope, they gave people back their dignity and so on. . . For my money, that's the kind of work that needs doing now, as we face a crisis even greater than the Depression: the quick unraveling of the planet's climate system in the face of our endless emissions of carbon dioxide.
The Evergreen State in more than name Mar 09, 2008 Seattle Times: NO more good intentions. Washington state is committed to a purposeful response to climate change.
Legislature: One serious hope Mar 07, 2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Washington state is taking climate change much more seriously. That's a critical step to improve our environment, health and future. At least as much as any environmental control action we recall, it's also an immensely hopeful, optimistic action.
2008 Eco-All-Stars Mar 01, 2008 Outside Magazine: "We can no longer have a racially segregated, class-indifferent environmental movement," says Jones, a Yale-educated lawyer who cofounded the Oakland, California–based Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.
America's Green Policy Vacuum Feb 11, 2008 Business Week: Without a fully funded, federal alternative energy policy, the U.S. risks squandering the potential of a powerful economic engine and will continue to depend on foreign energy resources.
Gov. Gregoire announces bill to fight climate change, create jobs Jan 14, 2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer: SEATTLE -- Gov. Chris Gregoire on Monday proposed legislation to direct the state Department of Ecology to design a regional cap and trade market for carbon emissions, require annual emissions reporting by all major generators of greenhouse gases, and create training programs for "green collar jobs."
Cities Cultivate 2 Types Of Green Dec 12, 2007 USA TODAY: Squatting on the roof of a row house with a panoramic view of the sewage plants and warehouses that surround the South Bronx, James Wells sounds like a tree-hugger. He photographs the progress of seedlings he planted on the roof, one of his first "green roof" installations, and explains how roofs covered by soil and plants, more trees on the ground and cleaner parks are key to fighting the pollution that overwhelms the neighborhood. As he speaks, a pungent rotting smell emanates from a sewage plant.
Bring Eco-Power To The People Nov 21, 2007 TIME Magazine: A few years ago, Oakland-based human-rights activist Van Jones came to a realization. If the U.S. accelerated the transition to a cleaner economy, millions of jobs in green construction and alternative energy could be created. Those jobs--call them green collar--were exactly what unemployed residents of cities like Oakland needed.
Green Jobs Will Clean Up The Economy, Communities Nov 19, 2007 CNet News: Van Jones can command a stage. Whispering about pollution in poor neighborhoods, he might bring an audience close to tears. Then he'll pack the next thought with a wicked grin, rocking the room with laughter. The Yale-trained attorney from Tennessee has campaigned against police brutality and youth imprisonment with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights he co-founded 11 years ago in Oakland, Calif. But his recent push to create a "green-collar" job corps has catapulted Jones to the national stage.
Environmentalism With A Social Conscience Nov 07, 2007 The Nation: To counteract what he perceives as twenty years of racial segregation in the environmental movement, Van Jones said he envisions a world in which "a green wave lifts all boats."
The Green-Collar Solution Oct 17, 2007 The New York Times: Van Jones has been on a crusade to help disadvantaged communities understand why they would be the biggest beneficiaries of a greener America.
Green Energy Meets Jobs Sep 29, 2007 The Boston Globe: Even activists can stun themselves by speaking up. For a decade, Van Jones, a Yale-trained attorney and cofounder of Oakland's Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, was mostly known in the Bay Area for fighting to reform police and youth prisons. In recent years he and other activists have pushed for inner-city job training in the solar, wind, and other energy-saving industries. In June, Oakland became the first city in the nation to create a "Green Jobs Corps" program. A green coalition in nearby Richmond recently installed solar panels on a home, employing at-risk trainees.
House Energy Bill To Boost Green Job Training Aug 07, 2007 GreenBiz.com: The House of Representatives passed a sweeping energy bill Saturday that included a provision directing millions of dollars toward training a "green" workforce The Green Jobs Act of 2007 would authorize as much as $125 million a year for the national and state program to train workers in areas such as biofuel development, energy efficient buildings, renewable power, solar panel installation and energy efficient cars.
Oakland Plugs Into Clean Tech As Job Generator Jun 22, 2007 San Francisco Business Times: When Van Jones gazes out at Oakland, he sees green -- a green economy fed by growing clean-tech companies and Oakland residents trained to build wind farms, install solar panels or weatherize windows. At the same time, said Jones, who helped draft a plan to develop a Green Jobs Corps for the city, Oakland can become a worldwide leader in tying together the environment, the economy and social justice. On June 19, the Oakland City Council earmarked $250,000 for the program assembled by the Oakland Apollo Alliance and supported by labor unions like the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The money could seed private contributions and federal job-training money, Jones said, to launch the program early next year.
Oakland Gives Nod To 'Green Collar' Vision Jun 13, 2007 Oakland Tribune: Oakland may become the nation's first city with a "Green Jobs Corps" of workers trained in such areas as bio-fuels manufacturing and solar panel installation in an anti-poverty program that won significant city approval Tuesday. After some 150 people from various nonprofits and government agencies rallied in front of City Hall for "green jobs" creation, the public works committee of the Oakland City Council voted to ask the full council to provide $250,000 to start the program.
A Van With A Plan: An Interview With Van Jones Mar 20, 2007 Grist: Big business has finally realized that there's lots of money to be made in the transition to a clean-energy economy. Van Jones wants to make sure working-class and minority Americans realize it too. Though his work is focused on Oakland, CA -- he successfully fought for a "Green Jobs Corps" youth training program in the city and is pushing to make Oakland a "Green Enterprise Zone" -- Jones is seen as a rising national star whose ideas could bridge the gap between movements that have too long regarded each other with wary skepticism. When I reached him by phone, he emphasized the potential for a broad-based green coalition and chided "eco-elites" for failing to reach out.

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