With Green For All’s leap at the beginning of January, we thought it was a good time to share an entry by Green For All fellow Ami Patel, originally posted on It’s Getting Hot in Here.
On January 1, 2008, Green For All officially spun-off from the Ella Baker Center as a separate national organization, while the Ella Baker Center continues to run its “Green-Collar Jobs Campaign†regionally and statewide in California. Two months before, Van Jones had taken the stage at the Clinton Global Initiative in NYC and announced this commitment on behalf of the new organization: secure one billion dollars by 2012 to create “green pathways out of poverty†for 250,000 people in the United States.
These goals may seem ambitious, but they are very necessary, and very possible. The realities of the environmental issues we face are clear, as can be seen through dwindling resources, detrimental health effects, and natural catastrophes. Therefore, we will need everyone — all communities, all people — involved in the solutions that are coming in the following years. Green For All will work to ensure everyone understands that what’s good for the environment can also be good for the economic well being of all people.
So who’s on board? Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been vital in supporting the Green Jobs Act, which passed in the U.S. Congress in December. At a Senate hearing on Green Jobs, California Senator Barbara Boxer opened by highlighting Van’s ideas and stating, “Green jobs are our future.†Then at the Clinton Global Initiative, former President Bill Clinton personally endorsed the mission of Green For All. As a speaker for Senator Barack Obama’s panel on climate change at the Congressional Black Caucus, Van Jones received two standing ovations from the audience. And over 160 green businesses and organizations have formally signed on to support the Green For All pledge.
But we need more than big names in order for Green For All to succeed. Everywhere the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights has been able to reach out, everyone that has supported and championed our work, all the organizations that have partnered with us, and each event that has given Van space to eloquently spread our message — all of you have been important, and you still are.
We need your help now more than ever. Here are just a few things you can do:
• SHOW UP FOR “FOCUS THE NATION” AT SFSU: January 30 and 31 (Wed – Thu) It’s a national teach-in! That means hundreds of colleges and schools will devote two days of classes to the global climate situation. Hear the lectures, watch The 2% Solution, ask questions of elected officials, and build our environmental justice community. Find the details for SFSU or your local school at www.focusthenation.org.
• HELP CREATE LOCAL GREEN JOBS: As a student, demand a shift to sustainability on your campus. Make sure the green jobs created at your school in solar panel construction, energy retrofits, etc., are local jobs and benefit local communities.
• HELP DRIVE NATIONAL CLIMATE POLICY: Green For All is part of the 1Sky Campaign, a major new coalition fighting for a sane, effective national climate policy. The first ask of the 1Sky campaign is to “Create 5 million green jobs conserving 20% of our energy by 2015.†Make sure that these proposals become a reality.
• What else can YOU think of? This short list is just a start!
And definitely stay informed and stay tuned. Check our site, www.greenforall.org, that will grow and develop over time. We’re just getting started.
11 Comments
Hello,
I first heard of your organization at the recent cleantech summit in San Francisco and then again at a conference held by “sustainable silicon valley.”
As the Managing Director of Workforce Development, I am keenly aware of the current and near future shortage for workers within this industry. It is my goal to be a part of the solution by developing and implementing training program(s) that help meet the industries need. We work with a broad range of people, but most are low-income individuals with limited education.
I see the growing industry need as a perfect match for jobs for the population we serve. I believe your mission and ours is closely aligned.
I’d love to talk with someone at your organization to see how we might be able to work together to meet our shared goal.
The Institute for Career Development is a division of Goodwill of Silicon Valley. We are located in San Jose.
My direct line is 408 869-9230. Or I can be reached via email at trishd@goodwillsv.org.
Trish Dorsey
Dear Trish,
We encourage you to book CF Fuller & The Earh Day Kids to perform the
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L.C. Pelzer (267-707-0342)
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pecpa.org
philadelphiasustainabilityawards.org/node.336
vote for our environmental song click the 4th star to vote
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ban together on Earth Day weekend stop for 3.53 seconds and song Theme Song For Earth Day across America
You should talk to the Obama people — his latest (today) economic policy proposal includes a plan to invest $150 billion over the next 10 years to establish a “green energy section” to add up to 5 million jobs in the next two decades.
“In his speech in Janesville, Mr. Obama proposed creating a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank to invest $60 billion over 10 years and create nearly 2 million new jobs in the construction field. He said the program would be paid for by ending the Iraq war. He also renewed his call to create an energy plan to invest $150 billion over 10 years to establish a “green energy sector†to add up to 5 million jobs in the next two decades.”
Dear Ellar Baker,
It is appreciated that America is addressing those global issues that affect human kind and also the climate.
The aspect of Emission Policies and setting up standards is ideal for global warming controls.
The developing countries suffer frequent prolonged drought marked by agricultural wastage. Crops die prematurely, leaving the communities to suffer loss and extreme hunger. This contracts the Millennium Development Goal one.
Science and Technology programs that includes recycling of agricultural waste can contribute to poverty eradication.This is possible through research and collaboration with science and technology experts. Recycling and production of marketable products can serve for both local and export market.
When the Green for All focuses on the nation,we in Kenya focus on the grass root community groups and identify the available resources for poverty eradication.
This is possible through application of Science and Technology,in collaboration with recycling experts.
The challenges include support programs, resourceful tools and equipment necessary for Green Jobs creation.
We appreciate partnership for poverty eradication according to MDGs implementation strategies.
Poverty reduction is possible through Green Job creation,
Thank you very much.
Grace.
Kenya
Dear Ella Baker,
Surely Ella Baker has the best blogs and the richest resources available for ending global poverty.
It is great to learn about the CEC and their investment concept..
How can organizations in the developing countries get on board towards ending poverty?
We are interested to achieve G1 at grass root level.
Currently we are working with vulnerable communities for sustainable development.
How possible is it to attain partnership for youth enrichment.
I beg to be forgiven if I repeat myself in my mails. But if you have an itch It does not matter how many times you scratch yourself as the itch persists.
Please advice on possible partnership to reduce the 700,000 school dropouts who add to the unemployment market every year, in my country Kenya.
Thank you very much..
Grace
Kenya
Grace
Kenya.
Dear Nicole Lee and All,
Please allow me to convey my compliments to Silence the Violence on their successful performance during the Emergency Vigil Event. I am glad the day draw not only great inspiration but also attention form the locals.
I sincerely support “Silence the Violence” concept.
The posters are very eye catching. What a very innovative way on the display! Although the kids could not say it they could hold up the slogans. That was outstandingly wonderfully done. I really admire your performance.
Congratulations to the Emergency Virgil Event organizers, and the designers.
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
Grace From
Kenya.
I had not heard of the Ella Baker Center til a
when was working with a small group of young people in my community(church) I would like to pick up some of those youth and get them involved.
Sincerly,
leola browder.
I heard about the Ella Baker Center and your comments about the impact of environmental problems in our communities. Bravo! As a longtime social justice advocate having worked in the area for more than 20 years I am interested in learning more and participating in this worthy cause.
Since the 1960s the issues of enivironmental pollution and its effect particularly in communities of color have been raised. Now that globally people are beginning to recognize how real the threat is, it is imperative that we not be left out of the equation. I have bookmarked your website in my favorites and will be keeping abreast of any developments. I live in the Northeast so please let me know of any plans to do some grassroots organizing in this area.
Peace.
I am doing similar work and I like to connect with Van Jones and I also would like to have my organization connected with this campaign
this is a message to the blog moderator, I feel that you should post a story about this great video. Its a hip hop song and video about the Green Party, made by an independent rap group from the bay area. Its pretty good, well made, positive, uplifting, and catchy. I know that this is “Obama’s time” but people should have an option and to that they need to be informed. The video talks about a black woman and puerto rican woman running.
check out the link,
http://www.youtube.com/someofallparts
Hi, Im doing a rhetorical analysis on Ella Baker for my communications class at University of Puget Sound.
I wanted to know if someone could answer some questions I have about the center in regards to Ella Baker.
THanks!
-Katie Loker