By Van Jones, founder, Green For All
The "winner" of this year's presidential contest will inherit the world's toughest job at one of the toughest times in U.S. history. Today's challenges would intimidate even our greatest leaders.
The occupation of Iraq will drag on. Carbon emissions will continue to super-heat the atmosphere leading to ever-unpredictable (and deadlier) weather. Rising energy prices could slow economic growth while inflating the cost of everything.
Fortunately, both Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are promoting one solution that offers good medicine for the economy... for the Earth... and for U.S. foreign policy.
The "winner" of this year's presidential contest will inherit the world's toughest job at one of the toughest times in U.S. history. Today's challenges would intimidate even our greatest leaders.
The occupation of Iraq will drag on. Carbon emissions will continue to super-heat the atmosphere leading to ever-unpredictable (and deadlier) weather. Rising energy prices could slow economic growth while inflating the cost of everything.
Fortunately, both Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are promoting one solution that offers good medicine for the economy... for the Earth... and for U.S. foreign policy.
That solution is "green-collar jobs" - living wage employment in environmentally-friendly industries (like solar energy, wind energy, organic agriculture, building weatherization and green construction).
By promoting these economic sectors, the next president can create jobs, cut green-house gases and reduce the nation's dependence on oil.
The new president can lead the way - changing laws, realigning subsidies and resetting priorities to accelerate the clean energy revolution.
With strong presidential backing, the coming green wave can lift all boats. Rural communities can benefit economically by growing bio-fuels and erecting wind turbines. Urban youth seeking a future - and even veterans looking for work - can all be trained in green trades.
As the founder and president of Green For All, I am especially excited about both candidates' commitment to green-collar jobs. Green For All promotes policies that help build an inclusive, green economy - one strong enough to lift people out of poverty. For instance, we backed the Green Jobs Act, which President Bush signed into law in December 2007.
And we will be happy to assist the next president, of either party, implement even more ambitious ideas. Because given the present state of affairs, the next commander-in-chief is going to need all the help that he or she can get.
Van Jones
Founder, President
Green For All
Comments
Leave a comment